ArpaCal communicates the results of the activities carried out in recent days on the Cantagalli stream, following reports relating to the presence of foam in some sections of the watercourse. The Agency, as part of its institutional mandate, has activated a package of technical checks to guarantee a transparent and data-based interpretation of the phenomenon.
On 17 and 18 November, immediately after the reports, ArpaCal technicians, together with the Local Police, carried out inspections and samples in two distinct points: Sambiase and Sant’Eufemia. The results of the analyses, already formally transmitted to the Mayor of Lamezia Terme, offer a first objective picture of the state of the stream on the days of sampling.
From the Test Report of the ArpaCal Laboratory of Catanzaro, relating to the sample taken in Sambiase, the presence of surfactants and a marked microbiological load emerges. This means that substances typical of detergents and bacteria of faecal origin arrive in the stream, elements which generally indicate contributions from non-compliant discharges or from sewerage sections to be verified. These data do not in themselves identify a specific source, but constitute a clear and useful technical signal to guide subsequent checks in the area. The control of these parameters in surface watercourses is essential because their presence is an important technical indicator useful for understanding the possible pressures on the water body and guiding investigation activities.
The foam observed along the riverbed is in fact compatible with several hypotheses: contributions from non-compliant discharges, organic contributions of various kinds or, as is more likely, a combination of the two factors. To date, no element allows us to attribute the phenomenon to a single cause. However, ARPACAL analyzes precisely document the picture detected at the time of sampling, constituting the information basis for any further investigations by the competent bodies.
ArpaCal has already confirmed to the Municipality of Lamezia Terme its full availability to support all subsequent phases: new sampling, joint inspections on the hydraulic network, checks on discharges and analyzes aimed at the traceability of possible sources. The Agency reiterates its commitment to effective institutional collaboration, oriented towards timely responses and maximum transparency of the data produced.
The activities will continue in coordination with the municipal administration, with the aim of reconstructing a complete picture of the phenomenon and allowing the timely application of corrective actions to protect the environment and public health.