Pollution in the Sarno River: Borrelli visits Sarno: "Map all discharges and monitor canning companies."

Following the serious report from Scafati, where residents on Via Francesco Budi and surrounding areas reported the presence of white foam and unbearable stench, Green-Left Alliance MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli traveled to Sarno to inspect the waterway.

With him are representatives of Europa Verde Aniello Fasolino and Antonio Borrelli, engaged in the census and mapping of the discharges along the Sarno River.

According to those present, during the inspections a clear change in the appearance of the water emerged: the river, clear near the springs, would progressively become cloudy and muddy near some outlets.

A regularly active system

During the monitoring, a company that regularly uses its own purification plant was also identified. At that location, the water was not contaminated, and the discharge was clearly marked.

This behavior is considered virtuous, as it would demonstrate the feasibility of conducting environmentally friendly production activities. At the same time, however, the presence of only one officially traced discharge would make it necessary, according to the initiators of the inspection, to expand and systematically monitor all other discharges.

The alarm for tomato processing

Concern is growing as the seasonal tomato processing season begins. According to Borrelli and representatives of Europa Verde, this period could see an increased risk of illegal dumping by companies that choose not to activate wastewater treatment plants to reduce costs.

"For over fifty years, citizens have been denouncing the pollution of the Sarno River," the initiative's promoters emphasize, "but concrete complaints and effective measures are still too few."

The request for widespread checks

At the moment, according to what emerged during the inspection, only one discharge has been officially mapped and can be traced back to the company it originated from. According to Borrelli, all other pipes will need to undergo an immediate and thorough inspection.

"It's unacceptable that in 2026 we still have to witness this environmental devastation," the MP declared. "While some industrial companies are operating their sewage treatment plants effectively, there are still those who use the Sarno River as an open-air landfill."

Borrelli therefore calls on ARPAC and law enforcement to initiate "widespread checks on all pipelines and all canning companies in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area." He concludes: "Zero tolerance for those who poison citizens' health and devastate the landscape."