Okonek Wastewater Treatment Plant | Secondary Treatment in Wielkopolskie, Poland

Okonek wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Okonek, in the Złotów County of Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, Poland. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,167 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Polish 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 discharges into freshwater and estuaries. With a designed capacity of 7,500 m³/day, the plant is sized to accommodate future growth and seasonal variations. The current discharge volume is 166.40 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Baltic Sea via the Gwda and Noteć rivers, part of the Oder basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's surface waters from nutrient pollution and supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Gwda River, a tributary of the Noteć, which joins the Warta and then the Oder River before reaching the Baltic Sea. This watershed supports diverse freshwater habitats and is important for migratory fish species. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and nutrients, mitigating eutrophication risks in the Baltic Sea.