ZOCCA_BONDIGLIO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Montalbano, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

ZOCCA_BONDIGLIO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Montalbano, a locality within the municipality of Zocca in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of around 3,163, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity of 3,700 m³/day indicates the facility is sized to handle the community's wastewater load, with a reported discharge volume of 861.78 m³/day. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Po River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed and downstream aquatic ecosystems from untreated sewage pollution.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Panaro River, part of the Po River basin. The Po River is Italy's longest river and flows into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The Emilia-Romagna region relies on these water bodies for irrigation, recreation, and ecological balance. Secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and protect downstream water quality.