Kiszkowo Wastewater Treatment Plant - Coastal Poland, Secondary Treatment

The Kiszkowo wastewater treatment plant is located in the village of Kiszkowo, within gmina Będzino, powiat koszaliński, in the województwo zachodniopomorskie region of Poland. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,500, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Polish and EU regulations. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges to coastal waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 14,999 m³/day and currently treats an average of 645 m³/day of wastewater, indicating significant reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the Baltic Sea basin, as the plant lies within 10 km of the coast. This coastal discharge location requires compliance with sensitive area standards, including nutrient removal to protect the marine environment from eutrophication.

The plant discharges into the Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed brackish sea that is highly sensitive to nutrient pollution. The Baltic Sea suffers from widespread eutrophication due to nitrogen and phosphorus inputs from surrounding countries. Poland's coastal waters are part of the HELCOM convention area, which sets targets for nutrient reduction. The plant's secondary treatment with potential nutrient removal helps mitigate local impacts on coastal ecosystems, including fish spawning grounds and migratory bird habitats.