DP01209201_LUINO_VOLDOMINO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Germignaga, Lombardy, Italy

DP01209201_LUINO_VOLDOMINO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Germignaga, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 22,402 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. Compliance with the directive ensures a minimum level of treatment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Maggiore, a large subalpine lake shared with Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is a significant ecological and recreational resource, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a key water body in the Po River basin. The plant's operations help protect the lake's water quality and downstream ecosystems.

The plant's treated effluent flows into the catchment of Lake Maggiore, one of Italy's largest and deepest lakes. Lake Maggiore drains into the Ticino River, a major tributary of the Po River, which eventually reaches the Adriatic Sea. The lake supports a rich biodiversity, including fish species such as whitefish and perch, and is an important stopover for migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this watershed is critical for both ecological health and human uses like tourism and drinking water supply.