ROCCA PIETORE MASARE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rocca Pietore, Veneto, Italy

ROCCA PIETORE MASARE is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Rocca Pietore, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,189 residents in the mountainous area of the Dolomites, near the town of Col Badiot. It operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This level of treatment is typical for plants discharging into sensitive areas, such as alpine streams or lakes. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,000 cubic meters per day and currently discharges an average of 433.34 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Piave River basin, ultimately reaching the Adriatic Sea. The surrounding environment includes ecologically sensitive alpine habitats and streams that support diverse aquatic life. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this region known for its natural beauty and tourism.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Piave River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea near Venice. The receiving waters are in an alpine region with sensitive ecosystems, including cold-water fisheries and habitats for species such as the marble trout. Advanced treatment ensures minimal nutrient loading, protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically important watershed.