Potegowo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Darżyno, Poland | Secondary Treatment Facility

Potegowo wastewater treatment plant is located in Darżyno, within the gmina Potęgowo in powiat słupski, Poland. The facility serves a population of 1,150 and operates under secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 7,800 m³/day and discharges approximately 163.97 thousand m³ of treated wastewater annually. As a secondary treatment plant, Potegowo meets the EU directive's minimum requirement for biological treatment, reducing organic matter and suspended solids. For small agglomerations under 2,000 population equivalent, the directive allows appropriate treatment, but secondary treatment is common. The plant's capacity utilization suggests it operates well below its design capacity, indicating potential for future growth. The treated effluent from Potegowo likely discharges into a local watercourse that flows towards the Baltic Sea, given the plant's location about 50 km from the coast. The receiving water body supports local aquatic ecosystems and contributes to the broader drainage basin of the Słupia River or similar coastal rivers. Protecting water quality in this region is important for both ecological health and downstream uses.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with sensitive ecosystems. The Słupia River basin, which likely receives the effluent, supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish. Maintaining secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters.