Overview
GRAVELLONA wastewater treatment plant serves Pedemonte, Piemonte, Italy, with a population equivalent of 17,512. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The GRAVELLONA wastewater treatment plant is located in Pedemonte, within the Gravellona Toce area of Piemonte, Italy. Serving a population equivalent of 17,512, it is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Autostrada dei Trafori and lies inland, more than 50 km from the coast. As an Italian wastewater facility, GRAVELLONA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The treated effluent from GRAVELLONA likely discharges into a local watercourse that eventually feeds into the Toce River, a tributary of Lake Maggiore. Lake Maggiore is a large subalpine lake that drains into the Ticino River, which flows into the Po River and ultimately the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of this ecologically important lake system, which supports diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.
Environmental context
The GRAVELLONA plant discharges into the local watershed that drains into the Toce River, a major tributary of Lake Maggiore. Lake Maggiore is a deep subalpine lake with significant ecological value, supporting fish species such as whitefish and perch, and providing habitat for migratory birds. The lake's outflow, the Ticino River, flows through the Po Valley and joins the Po River, which empties into the Adriatic Sea. Protecting water quality in this chain is critical for maintaining biodiversity and preventing eutrophication in the lake.
Frequently asked questions
The GRAVELLONA plant is located in Pedemonte, within the Gravellona Toce area of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province, Piemonte, Italy. Its address is near the Autostrada dei Trafori.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 17,512, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent likely discharges into a local watercourse that flows into the Toce River, a tributary of Lake Maggiore.
As an Italian facility, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and may require tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent must provide at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, such as those draining into lakes like Lake Maggiore, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be required.
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