Fognatura

Fognatura is the network of underground pipes and facilities that collects and transports wastewater from homes, businesses, and other sources to treatment facilities or receiving waters. In many contexts it refers to the municipal sewer system, or rete fognaria, used to manage sanitation and stormwater in urban areas.

The system comprises sanitary sewers, which carry domestic and industrial wastewater; storm sewers, which handle rainfall runoff; or combined sewers, which collect both. It includes components such as pipes, manholes, pumping stations, interceptors, and storage or treatment facilities, up to wastewater treatment plants (impianti di depurazione).

Most fognature rely on gravity to move sewage toward treatment works, with pumping stations used to overcome elevation differences or to improve flow during dry periods. In some cities, separate sanitary and stormwater networks are used to reduce the risk of overflows; in others, combined systems still exist, requiring management to minimize environmental impact.

Management and regulation of fognature are typically handled by municipal or regional authorities. Planning, construction, maintenance, and operation are governed by technical standards for materials, hydraulics, cleanliness, and monitoring. User charges fund system operation, and rules determine connections and responsibilities for property owners.

The fognatura protects public health and the environment by removing wastewater from streets and diverting it to treatment facilities rather than discharging untreated pollutants. Challenges include infiltration and exfiltration, blockages, and sewer overflows, particularly during heavy rainfall, underscoring the importance of adequate infrastructure and stormwater management.

Historically, sewer systems emerged in ancient civilizations and were expanded during the 19th and 20th centuries, later integrating more advanced treatment technologies and urban flood control to improve sanitation and environmental protection.