PARMA_EST Wastewater Treatment Plant, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

PARMA_EST is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 114,652, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated in the Po River basin, a major agricultural and industrial region in northern Italy. As a large agglomeration, PARMA_EST is required to meet the standards of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum. For plants serving over 100,000 people in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required to reduce nutrient loads. It operates within Italy's national regulatory framework, which implements the directive through regional environmental agencies. The treated effluent from PARMA_EST is discharged into the Parma River, a tributary of the Po River. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation and industry. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Parma River and the broader Po basin from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

PARMA_EST discharges into the Parma River, which flows into the Po River, Italy's longest river. The Po River drains into the Adriatic Sea, supporting a rich ecosystem including migratory fish and bird species. The Po basin is a sensitive area due to agricultural runoff and urban pressures, making nutrient removal important for preventing eutrophication in the Adriatic. The plant's location in the Emilia-Romagna region, a densely populated and agriculturally intensive area, underscores its role in maintaining downstream water quality.