CARI FAIDO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Faido, Ticino, Switzerland

CARI FAIDO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Faido, in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It serves a population of around 900 residents in the Carì area, part of the Leventina district. The plant is situated in an Alpine valley at an elevation of about 1,600 meters, reflecting the mountainous terrain of the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Swiss water protection legislation. With a designed capacity of 1,500 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of approximately 408 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. Swiss regulations, aligned with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, mandate secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size to protect sensitive Alpine water bodies. The treated effluent from CARI FAIDO is discharged into the local stream network, which feeds into the Ticino River, a major tributary of the Po River. The Po ultimately flows into the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in preserving water quality in the ecologically sensitive Alpine environment, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems.

CARI FAIDO discharges into the Ticino River basin, which drains into the Po River and eventually the Adriatic Sea. The Alpine watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic species and serving as an important corridor for migratory fish. Secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, protecting downstream habitats.