Inspections are intensifying and searches to monitor treatment plants and discharge systems. Those who do not comply with regulations face heavy fines, in addition to the irresponsible impact on the surrounding environment, with negative consequences for the entire territory. It is urgent to verify compliance and update the system in accordance with current regulations.
An exemplary case is an incident of discharging wastewater onto the ground without authorization, which led to a fine for a restaurateur in Cavascura (Arezzo) last July, when the forest rangers of Bibbiena searched a wool mill in Soci, with the support of firefighters, Arpat, and Asl.
The Prosecutor's Office of Arezzo had instructed the forest rangers, with the support of the appropriate technical bodies, to verify the situation following a complaint from 68 citizens of the area, who reported frequent and bothersome emissions of fumes and foul-smelling vapors from the discharges of the plant. The inspection was carried out to reconstruct the origin, nature, and extent of the emissions produced based on the production process of the wool mill, to ascertain their compliance or, alternatively, any polluting effect.
The control revealed an irregular discharge system and areas with the presence of pungent vapors. Part of the production site, the so-called equalization system, was found to be non-compliant with the authorization issued by the Region for the type of plant. The discharge of processing wastewater was indeed found to be different from what was expected.
Another case involves a restaurant at a beach establishment in the province of Catania, which was charged with the Environmental Crime of Discharging Wastewater Without Authorization
Officers from the Borgo Ognina Police Station, assisted by personnel from the Provincial Police, the Regional Forestry Corps of Sicily, and the ASP, determined that the owner had the municipal authorization for discharging wastewater, but only for the beach area, while lacking any title that authorized the disposal and discharge of wastewater from the restaurant area, which was present within the establishment.
The environmental crime provided for by Article 137 of Legislative Decree 152/2006 was established, which punishes those who discharge wastewater without the necessary authorization. The personnel proceeded to investigate the responsible party in a state of freedom and to seize the kitchen, bathroom, and laboratory facilities present in the area of interest.
To avoid similar situations:
According to Regulation 305/2011, to select, design, and install a wastewater treatment plant, attention must be paid to three basic aspects:
✅ exclusive use of regulated and CE certified products;
✅ design in accordance with current regulations regarding discharge systems;
✅ installation by a qualified company capable of issuing the Declaration of Conformity as required by DM 37/08.
Wastewater Treatment: let's recap the Regulations
Let's take a look at the reference regulations for wastewater treatment in Italy. A summary of the main regulations in this area.
It is also clear that failing to comply with regulations represents only a needless risk of incurring hefty fines, as well as worsening the health of the environment and consequently that of its inhabitants.
And you? Are you compliant with current regulations? Polluting is not beneficial to anyone. "We all lose out: the environment, terrestrial, river, and marine ecosystems, human health, and now even our wallets". To verify that you have the appropriate markings, comply with the regulations, and be compliant contact our consultants at Dora Baltea for all the information you need. Contact us!
