Villanova d'Asti Wastewater Treatment Plant | Piemonte, Italy

The Villanova d'Asti wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Villanova d'Asti, in the Piemonte region of northwestern Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 5,269, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and European Union regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 7,500 m³/day and currently discharges about 898 m³/day of treated wastewater, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Po River basin, one of Italy's most important river systems. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural irrigation along its course. The plant's operation helps protect the regional water quality in this densely populated and agriculturally productive area.

The plant discharges into the Po River basin, which drains the Po Valley and flows into the Adriatic Sea. This watershed supports extensive agriculture and is ecologically sensitive due to nutrient loading from urban and agricultural runoff. The Po River delta is a key habitat for migratory birds and fish species. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants but may not fully remove nutrients, making the plant's role in local water quality management significant.