Cutting-edge industrial water purification

The Aquarno water treatment plant, is situated on the right bank of the Arno river. It was created in 1974 in order to protect and safeguard its waters. An avant-garde plant, built 5 years before the first environmental regulation came into force, it is a demonstration of the enormous importance eco-sustainability has for the 'Distretto'.

As a result of continuous and considerable investments made over the years in research,development and innovation, today Aquarno is Europe's leading water purifier and is one of the flagships of the 'Distretto Santa Croce sull'Arno'. The excellence of the purification system is not limited only to the depollution of all waste water produced by the tanning plant, which is released in the rivers as clean water; the treatment plant is connected to a system for treating and reducing the sludge resulting from purification, which processes it to be reused in other sectors, such as in the building industry. In addition, chromium used in tanning processes is returned to the companies. Residues and scraps from leather processing are recovered and destined for other uses, such as scientific and cosmetic uses.

All the tanneries of the district, whatever their size and their production capacity , are connected compulsorily to the water treatment plant, whose final discharge is monitored by the public bodies responsible for controlling activities.

The chrome baths used in the tanning processes are not discharged into the water sewer system: the consortium plant " Consorzio Recupero Cromo " recycles the chromium from the baths and returns it to the companies that then reuse it.

Residues and waste of tanning processing (fleshing, splitting and shaving) are processed within the consortium company "SGS", transformed and destined for other purposes, such as industrial and scientific.

The recovery, transformation, enhancement and reuse of waste waters and materials contribute to a real model of circular economy in the district.

The Aquarno water treatment plant, thanks to its high performances that are hard to achieve  in other industrial areas, and its maximum purifying efficiency, is today the heart of the «TUBONE» project, the result of the Program agreement that involves together with the tanning entrepreneurs, the administrations of the district, the Tuscan Region and the Ministry of the Environment, in the realization of a huge purification system. The work concerns a large area in Tuscany and involves 42 municipalities in a single central system, connecting both industrial and civil purification in a cutting-edge process that will allow to redistribute the water treated directly to tanneries.