Overview
Santo Stefano Belbo wastewater treatment plant serves about 59,000 people in Piemonte, Italy. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Santo Stefano Belbo wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Santo Stefano Belbo, in the province of Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy. Serving a population of approximately 59,070, this facility is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure, handling a medium-sized agglomeration under Italian and European regulations. As a plant serving over 10,000 population equivalent, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For larger agglomerations in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with discharge standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Po River basin, eventually reaching the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Po River and its tributaries, which support diverse aquatic life and are important for agriculture and drinking water in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local hydrographic network that feeds into the Tanaro River, a major tributary of the Po River. The Po River basin is the largest in Italy, draining into the Adriatic Sea. This watershed supports diverse ecosystems, including fish species like the European eel and various migratory birds. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream water quality and ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the locality of Robini, in the municipality of Santo Stefano Belbo, province of Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy.
The plant serves approximately 59,070 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Tanaro River, a tributary of the Po River, which ultimately reaches the Adriatic Sea.
As an Italian plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment and, if in a sensitive area, tertiary treatment.
For agglomerations of this size, Italian plants typically provide at least secondary biological treatment. In sensitive areas like the Po River basin, additional nutrient removal may be required to meet EU standards.
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