San Prospero Wastewater Treatment Plant, Staggia Modenese, Emilia-Romagna

The San Prospero wastewater treatment plant is located in Staggia Modenese, a frazione of San Prospero in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,439 people and operates with advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent. It is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure managed by the Unione Comuni Modenesi Area Nord. As an advanced treatment facility, San Prospero goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is particularly important in sensitive areas. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent are required to have appropriate treatment, and advanced treatment is mandated for discharges into sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity of 5,500 cubic meters per day aligns with the population served, and current discharge volume indicates efficient operation. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Po River basin, one of Italy's most important watersheds. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. The advanced treatment at San Prospero helps protect the Po River ecosystem from nutrient pollution, contributing to the environmental health of the region.

The San Prospero plant discharges into the Po River basin, which drains into the Adriatic Sea. The Po River is the longest river in Italy and supports a rich ecosystem, including migratory fish species and extensive wetlands. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in the Adriatic Sea, which is a semi-enclosed basin sensitive to nutrient enrichment.