Update 14.04.18
A few days ago the storage tanks in the sewage treatment plant containing a large amount of sewage sludge (about 7,000 cubic meters, according to the press) were seized in a joint action by the Guardia di Finanza of Civitavecchia and the Carabinieri Forestali di Viterbo, co-ordinated by the Viterbo Public Prosecutor’s Office. This is not expected to slow down the work to restore the sewage system, which began in March. It is hoped that the investigation, aimed at identifying those responsible for the degradation and inefficiency of the wastewater treatment plant, will have a rapid outcome and give clear indications for future management of the system.
At what stage is the restoration work?
We asked the director of COBALB, Massimo Pierangeli, who explained the situation to us. Here is a summary of the work carried out so far and the plan for the coming months.
In this first phase the works are concentrated on the hydraulic-mechanical plant of the pumping stations. At each station tanks and pipes are cleaned and purged, accumulation tanks are checked, valves and pipes which need repair are identified, defective or missing pumps are replaced.
For now the stations are working with old electrical control panels, which will be replaced in the second phase of operations. In the third phase the treatment plant will be restored and, finally, a new remote control system will be installed.
To date, the following lifting stations have been restored (see the BLEU map, updated):
- San Lorenzo Stadio Substation: 2 new pumps installed, pressure pipes replaced
- San Lorenzo Lago Substation: 2 new pumps installed
- Felceti Provincial Road Substation (Valentano): 2 new pumps installed
- Le Fontane Substation (Valentano): 1 pump and flange replaced
- SS2: 2 new pumps installed, valves and piping repaired
- SS4: 2 new pumps installed, exit pipes replaced
- SS5: 2 new pumps installed, pressure pipes replaced
In the next week stations SS6, SS7 and SS8 will be restored. Subsequently a week will be devoted to the restoration of Station 9, continuing as far as Station 20.
The last station to be restored will be the SS1, where a long section of pipeline will be replaced.
The first two phases of work are expected to be completed by the end of May. Restoration work of the treatment plant will follow, probably taking 5 months of work.
Bad weather has been a source of problems and delays: in case of heavy rains, the inflow of water can not be contained and causes interruption to the work.
Waste deriving from cleaning and bleeding are partly delivered to the SIECO company and, in part, transported to the treatment plant and stored in the primary sedimentation tanks.
