POR_ID07_PORTOGRUARO_VIA_ZANELLA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Portogruaro, Veneto

POR_ID07_PORTOGRUARO_VIA_ZANELLA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cà Longa, Portogruaro, in the Veneto region of Italy. The plant serves a small population of 75 people and operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.00 volume units and currently discharges 14.85 volume units of treated effluent. As a small-scale facility, the plant is subject to Italian national regulations implementing the EU directive, which mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Lemene River and the Venice Lagoon. The Venice Lagoon is a sensitive ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the coastal environment, though its small scale limits its individual impact.

The plant discharges into the Lemene River, which flows through the Venice Lagoon before reaching the Adriatic Sea. The Venice Lagoon is a shallow coastal lagoon with brackish waters that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, mollusks, and migratory birds. Nutrient inputs from wastewater treatment plants in the region can contribute to eutrophication in the lagoon, making effective treatment important for protecting this ecologically sensitive environment.