VIGOLZONE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vigolzone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The VIGOLZONE wastewater treatment plant is located in Vigolzone, a town in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,085 and has a designed capacity of 2,100 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 311.67 m³/day. As a small-scale municipal plant, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater in this inland area. The plant operates at the secondary treatment level, which is the standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring effluent quality meets regulatory standards before discharge. The plant's capacity utilization suggests it has room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Po River basin, one of Italy's most significant river systems. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. The plant's operation helps protect these downstream environments from pollution, contributing to the ecological health of the region.

The VIGOLZONE plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Po River watershed. The Po River is the longest river in Italy, flowing through the Po Valley and emptying into the Adriatic Sea. This basin supports extensive agriculture and is ecologically sensitive, hosting diverse fish species and migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream waters.