COV Zaskov Wastewater Treatment Plant, Párnica, Slovakia

COV Zaskov is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Párnica, a village in the Žilinský kraj region of northern Slovakia. The facility serves a small population of 27 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated in the Orava River basin, which ultimately drains into the Baltic Sea via the Vistula River. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Although the directive mandates secondary treatment for all inland discharges, small plants like COV Zaskov may be subject to less stringent requirements due to their low population equivalent. The plant's designed capacity of 325 m³/day indicates it has room for future growth. Treated effluent from COV Zaskov is discharged into a local watercourse that feeds into the Orava River, a tributary of the Váh River. The Váh flows into the Danube, which empties into the Black Sea. The surrounding region is characterized by the Malá Fatra mountains and supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as brown trout and grayling. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.

The plant discharges into a small stream that flows into the Orava River, part of the Váh River basin. The Váh is the longest river in Slovakia and ultimately drains into the Danube River, which reaches the Black Sea. The local watershed supports a mix of forested hills and agricultural land, with the Orava River providing habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. The region is known for its biodiversity, including protected species such as the Eurasian otter and various migratory birds.