GOSSOLENGO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gossolengo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The GOSSOLENGO wastewater treatment plant is located in Gossolengo, a municipality in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,605 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and treats wastewater from the local community. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,000 cubic meters per day and currently discharges an average volume of 561.83 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Trebbia River, a tributary of the Po River. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The Trebbia River is known for its clear waters and supports diverse aquatic life. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, protecting the ecological health of the Trebbia and Po river basins.

The plant discharges into the Trebbia River, a major tributary of the Po River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Trebbia River is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse fish species and serving as an important migratory corridor. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in the Po River delta and the Adriatic Sea.