Where the river flows

© Francesca Spedalieri - Country, Le Cese.

© Francesca Spedalieri - Garden, Anagni.

© Francesca Spedalieri - Image from the Where the river flows photography project

Dates

2017 - Ongoing
Author

Francesca Spedalieri
Topics Landscape, Documentary

Sacco Valley is an area located in Italy. It’s territory is polluted by several factories that were built during the last century. The government prohibited livestock to be bred or to graze in the whole area. The pollution also caused several physical illnesses to the population who resides there.

My project is an investigation about the environmental situation of Sacco Valley. Following the river, I explored the whole area to find traces of this tragedy, traces that lie below the surface and that are hidden beyond the beauty of these places, and I talked with people who everyday live with it.

In my project there are different kinds of photographs, in order to document this complex issue and make it understood and to analyse it from every possible point of view.

Country, Le Cese.

Garden, Anagni.

San Giovanni Incarico Lake, Frosinone / In 2005 the Site of National Interest (SIN) Bacino del Sacco was instituted. These sites are defined by their characteristics: quantity of polluting substances, their relevance on the surrounding environment and the health of the population. The SIN of Valle del Sacco extends for 60 km, from Colleferro to San Giovanni Incarico lake, where the Sacco river flows into the Liri river.

Newspaper article on "Ciociaria Oggi" / In February 2009 a large amount of carbon black gas escaped from the Marangoni Spa incinerator, in locality Quattro Strade, near Anagni. The carbon black is a pigment produced by the incineration of tyres. The IARC classifies this substance as “likely carcinogenic”. This newspaper article was issued one week later, and says “No substance harmful to health”.

Letizia, Quattro Strade / The house of Letizia and her husband Mario is located in front of the Marangoni’s factory. On March 20th 2009 a large amount of carbon black escaped, because of a leak. The black dust entered the houses nearby. Government prohibited livestock to be bred or to graze, and the prohibition is currently still in force. In 2010 analyses were carried out on eggs, animals, and vegetables. This study revealed the presence of large amounts of PBC and dioxin.

Sacco river, Cesano.

Country, Paliano / In 2005 a great number of cows’ bodies was found on the banks of Rio Mola Santa Maria. They had died after drinking from the river. Traces of cyanide and other heavy metals were found in their bodies. After this event the SIN was instituted.

Drinking water test results / The test was run on the water of one of the wells of a house. Results show values of ph, nitrite, sulfate and chlorides off the charts.

Incinerator of Marangoni Spa / The incinerator was shut down in 2015, because of some irregularities. Currently the government is talking about its reopening.

Cemetery, Colleferro.

Raw milk, Gavignano / In 2005 a spot check on milk revealed a massive presence of hexachlorocyclohexane. This molecule is created in the production of lindane, a toxic insecticide that used to be produced in Colleferro. The factory dumped their waste in the Sacco river, and subsequently it spread in the valley. Further analysis caused the killing of 6000 heads of infected cattle. This substance is ranked by IARC as cancerogenic. This substance is present in large quantity in a great number of people of the Valley.

Domenico, Anagni / Domenico used to work in one of the factories in the valley. He is part of the program of health surveillance promoted by National Institute of Health. These studies revealed a strong connection between hexachlorocyclohexane, renal functions and women’s sexual hormones. A large quantity of this molecule was found in his body.

Garden, Quattro Strade.

"Colle Fagiolara" landfill, Paliano / The landfill is located at 3km from the centre of Colleferro. It had to be temporary, but became a permanent site. During the years, a number of complaints were made concerning irregularities in the management. Its closure was scheduled for 2019, but the government has decided to keep it open until 2022.

"Città dello spazio" monument, Colleferro.

Luigi, Colleferro / Ex worker in Bpd. For many years he has buried a large number of drums sourced from the factory into the grasslands. Asbestos was handled without particular protections. At the moment every one of his colleagues has died for asbestos related diseases.

Entrance of ex snia Bpd / The Bpd was founded in 1912, in the middle of the Faito wood. During the last century it became the biggest factory of the valley. The factory was investigated because of illegal disposal of toxic wastes. Nowadays this factory is no longer active.

"Le lame" landfill, Frosinone / The landfill was built in 1958 and didn’t meet the required quality standards. It became a danger for the surrounding environment, and polluted the ground waters where a large amount of heavy metals were found.

Country, Ferentino.

Natural reserve, Paliano.