Overview
SASSUOLO wastewater treatment plant serves Formigine, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with a population equivalent of 76,402. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The SASSUOLO wastewater treatment plant is located in Formigine, within the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It serves a population equivalent of 76,402, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Ceramic District, an area known for industrial activity, particularly ceramics manufacturing. As a facility in the European Union, the plant is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000, the directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. It is expected to comply with these standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Po River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Po River is the longest river in Italy and supports extensive agricultural and ecological systems. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of this important watershed from urban and industrial pollution.
Environmental context
The SASSUOLO plant discharges into the Secchia River, a tributary of the Po River, which flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The Po basin is a densely populated and agriculturally intensive region, making wastewater treatment critical for preventing eutrophication and safeguarding aquatic biodiversity. The downstream environment includes the Po Delta, an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse birdlife and fish species.
Frequently asked questions
The SASSUOLO plant is located in Formigine, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, within the Ceramic District near Modena.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 76,402, placing it in the medium-to-large agglomeration category under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Secchia River, a tributary of the Po River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea.
As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with possible tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
Under the EU directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment. In sensitive areas like the Po basin, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be mandated.
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