SANT_AGOSTINO_SAN_CARLO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Poggio Renatico, Italy

SANT_AGOSTINO_SAN_CARLO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Poggio Renatico, within the province of Ferrara in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of about 8,099 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under EU classification. It is situated in the Po River plain, an area characterized by intensive agriculture and a dense network of canals and waterways. As a plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment based on the sensitivity of the receiving waters. For inland areas like this, secondary treatment is typically mandated. It is expected to comply with Italian national regulations implementing the directive. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately drains into the Po River basin, which flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The Po River is the longest river in Italy and supports a diverse ecosystem, including important fish species and migratory birds. The plant plays a role in protecting the water quality of local canals and the Po River from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The plant discharges into the Po River basin, which flows through the Po Valley and empties into the Adriatic Sea near Venice. The Po River is a vital waterway for agriculture, industry, and biodiversity, supporting species such as the European eel and various waterfowl. The surrounding area is a flat, fertile plain with extensive irrigation canals, making nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication in the Adriatic.