San Vito di Fagagna Silvella Wastewater Treatment Plant, Savalons, Italy

The San Vito di Fagagna Silvella wastewater treatment plant is located in Savalons, a locality within the municipality of Mereto di Tomba in the Udine province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. The plant serves a population of 1,708, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. As a small-scale facility, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwater or coastal waters. Plants of this size typically employ secondary biological treatment to meet effluent standards. The designed capacity of 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day) indicates a modest infrastructure tailored to the local community. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water network, which ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Tagliamento River basin. The region is characterized by agricultural landscapes and the proximity of the Carnic Alps, influencing water quality management. Proper treatment helps protect the sensitive karstic aquifers and downstream ecosystems, including the Laguna di Marano and Grado Lagoon, which are important for biodiversity and fisheries.

The plant discharges into the local drainage network that feeds into the Tagliamento River, one of the last morphologically intact rivers in the Alps, flowing into the Adriatic Sea near the Laguna di Marano. This lagoon is a vital habitat for migratory birds and supports diverse aquatic life. The region's karstic geology makes groundwater particularly vulnerable to contamination, underscoring the importance of effective wastewater treatment.