Protection of the Venetian Lagoon
The North Adriatic Sea Port Authority (NASPA) takes part in numerous projects to reduce the impact of port activities on the waters of Venice and its lagoon. Major projects include:
- stormwater runoff treatment plants in Venice and Porto Marghera areas;
- activities and measures for management of ship generated waste and cargo residues, and for cleaning and remediation of pollution in port waters;
- planning and construction of environmentally friendly quaysides;
- construction of lagoon morphological structures, salt marshes, with sediments oh high quality.
Stormwater runoff treatment plants
The pollution resulting from rainwater runoff of port areas is an important theme in Venice area, as demonstrated by the Venice Lagoon safeguarding special legislation in place. Indeed, with a Ministerial Decree, the so called “Ronchi-Costa” Decree, since 1999, water discharges in the lagoon have to respect very low discharge limits (in some cases lower than the limits adopted for drinkable water).
Taking into proper consideration different aspects (e.g. strict local regulation, environmental protection, correlation with anthropic activities, water body impacts, and cost-benefit analyses) this problem has been studied and solved by NASPA adopting a passive filtration technology, which represents a best available technology (BAT) in this field. This type of technology allows treating the whole stormwater runoff, with no segregation between first flush and following portion of rain. This means increasing in treatment capacity and relevant reduction of impacts on water bodies.
More into detail, the water treatment plants developed and owned by NASPA make use of filtering cartridges to retain particles and absorb pollutants (including heavy metals, nutrients and hydrocarbons) treating up to 95% of all rainwater. The filtering process removes oil, grease and surface foam. Once it has been filtered, the water is conveyed into the lagoon. This technology has been implemented to serve areas and roads located in Venice as well as in Porto Marghera.
Activities and measures for management of ship generated waste and cargo residues, and for cleaning and remediation of pollution in port waters.
NASPA, according to its field of competences, provides the port community with services for management of ship generated waste and cargo residues, and for cleaning and remediation of pollution in port waters.
As far as the first service is concerned, NASPA develops and updates the related plan both for the Port of Venice and for the Port of Chioggia. Also, NASPA defines fares and measures to enhance ship waste disposal, and for high level of differentiated waste in general, in particular plastic waste.
As far as the second service is concerned, NASPA set criteria in order to guarantee periodic patrol and cleaning activities in port waters, if urgent immediate remediation of port waters, and disposal of collected waste.
Planning and construction of environmentally friendly quaysides
Another major action to safeguard the lagoon is the realization of embankments, including renewing existing quaysides and banks to ensure they are watertight to avoid contamination.
Construction of lagoon morphological structures, salt marshes, with sediments oh high quality
NASPA realized lagoon morphological structures with sediments oh high quality from dredging activities. These structures, salt marshes, are a particular type of islands with specific characteristics in relation with the Venice Lagoon ecosystem.