DP01709202_LONATO_BETTOLA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lonato del Garda, Lombardy

DP01709202_LONATO_BETTOLA is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Lonato del Garda, a town in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The plant serves a small population of 1,022 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban setting near the southern shore of Lake Garda. Its advanced treatment level indicates a high standard of pollutant removal, likely including nutrient reduction to protect sensitive downstream environments. As an advanced treatment facility, DP01709202_LONATO_BETTOLA operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations (under 2,000 population equivalent), the directive requires appropriate treatment, but Italy often mandates higher standards in sensitive areas like the Lake Garda basin. The plant's designed capacity of 450 cubic meters per day and actual discharge volume of 202.32 cubic meters per day suggest it operates well below capacity, with room for future growth. The plant's treated effluent likely drains into local streams or irrigation channels that ultimately flow into Lake Garda, one of Italy's largest and most ecologically important lakes. Lake Garda supports diverse aquatic life, including endemic fish species, and is a major tourist destination. The advanced treatment helps protect water quality in the lake, preventing eutrophication and safeguarding recreational uses. The plant's inland location, over 50 km from the coast, means its discharge has no direct marine impact.

The plant discharges into the Lake Garda watershed, a large subalpine lake that drains via the Mincio River into the Po River and eventually the Adriatic Sea. Lake Garda is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds. Advanced treatment at this plant helps control nutrient loading, reducing the risk of algal blooms and maintaining water quality for tourism and biodiversity.