#Product Trials
Rocca Sanvitale pollution cleanup : the castle moat finally clean
2 DPOL® Classic robots clean the moat of Rocca di Fontanellato castle in Parma. Rocca Sanvitale pollution cleanup: the cleanest moat in 39 years.
This is a first in the history of Fontanellato. In the summer of 2026, visitors to Rocca di Fontanellato castle, a medieval gem in the province of Parma, Italy, were able to discover the building in an exceptional setting: a perfectly clean moat. The mayor of the town said it himself in July 2026: in 39 years, it was the first time he had seen the moat clean in summer. Behind this result, two DPOL® Classic robots and an approach as simple as it is effective.
A rental to test first
Ecopo, the company responsible for maintaining the water surface surrounding the castle, first chose caution. Rather than investing directly, they opted to rent two DPOL® Classic robots to test their effectiveness on this particular site. A wise choice: Rocca Sanvitale pollution cleanup comes with specific constraints, a closed, historic body of water, enclosed by century-old stone walls, and visited by thousands of people every year.
The two robots were strategically positioned under the castle’s entrance bridge, a natural convergence point for floating waste and a high-traffic area for visitors. To further optimise their efficiency, two floating booms were installed to guide debris and algae toward the robots. A simple, discreet setup, perfectly integrated into the site.
The trial was conclusive. Ecopo decided to purchase both DPOL® units.
Management adapted to an exceptional site
On this site, the collection nets are emptied by rowing boat, a first for our robots. Ecopo’s teams make their way regularly to the heart of the moat, silently, without disturbing visitors or the surrounding environment. An image that perfectly captures the spirit of DPOL®: a technology that steps back to let the results speak.
The volumes of waste collected, plastics and organic matter, are carefully recorded at each visit. This data is then used to communicate with castle visitors, giving them a concrete demonstration of the site’s commitment to environmental preservation. A pollution control tool that also becomes a tool for raising awareness.
DPOL®: a solution that adapts to everything
This project at Fontanellato illustrates one of DPOL®’s greatest strengths: its ability to adapt to radically different environments. Marinas, industrial sites, lakes, canals, golf ponds, water parks, and now the moat of a medieval castle. Our robot finds its place wherever floating pollution is a problem.
Its low-tech design is precisely what makes this versatility possible. No complex electronics, no consumables, and an accessible price point. The DPOL® operates on the current generated by its pump, 24 hours a day, without supervision. Simply place it in a natural waste accumulation zone and it gets to work.
Its marine aluminium hull and buoyancy allow it to withstand varied conditions, exposure to bad weather, fluctuating water levels, dense algae blooms or bulky floating debris. And its minimal maintenance requirements make it an economically accessible solution, even for budget-constrained organisations such as local authorities or heritage site managers.
A strong signal for heritage sites
Rocca di Fontanellato castle welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year. The decision to use DPOL® to preserve the quality of its moat sends a clear message: Rocca Sanvitale pollution cleanup is not just an environmental issue, it is also a matter of prestige, image, and respect for heritage.
Other historic sites are already following this example.
Do you manage an atypical body of water? Contact us to find the best DPOL® configuration for your site.
