PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Fimon lake (Lago di Fimon), which is the only natural basin of the Berici Hills, is located in the muncipality of Arcugnano (4154 hectares of which 71,28% hills, 7.500 inhabitants), in the Veneto region to the North-East of Italy. The lake area, which has approximately 800 inhabitants has recently been subject to a process of eutrophycation. Heavy organic pollution has made the appearance of the waters, which are muddy and unclear, uninviting. The site is of noteworthy interest for the Region, given its landscape and environmental attributes, and was the focus of a targeted plan aimed at the development of eco-friendly tourism, which was never launched due to the above mentioned limits of the quality of the lake’s waters. Finally in 2001, Lake Fimon was inserted within the list of Natura 2000 sites. To improve the environmental quality of the lake Fimon area, the use of integrated phyto-depuration techniques for the reclamation of important water settings beset mainly by organic pollution, and the setting-up of a more sustainable tourist use of the area appeared to be possible solutions.
OBJECTIVES
The project's main objective was to demonstrate that the use of integrated phyto-depuration techniques could replace traditional water treatment systems (e.g., septic tanks) for the reclamation of prized water settings. The project aimed to validate this hypothesis through the purification of the waters of Lake Fimon, promoting in turn the development of a more environmentally conscious small-scale tourism in the area. A further objective was to limit car access to the lake area. At project termination, it was expected that the widespread pollution affecting the lake and its surroundings would have been reduced by 80%, and appreciable improvements to the quality of its waters, would have been carried out.
RESULTS
One of the main tasks (setting up of a bio-swimming pool inside the lake) was significantly delayed by the unexpected discovery, in the summer of 2002, of archaeological remains that forced the beneficiary to change the foreseen location of the innovative intervention to achieve the “bio-lake”. The proposed new location releaved to be not adeguate after the results of tests on the proposed site, which would have made the envisaged “bio-lake” extremely expensive. It was finally decided to eliminate this action and to realise a small didactic area close to the lake. Despite these delays, the main project objectives were substantially achieved: 1) Five phyto-depuration plants were built during the project's lifespan and these have demonstrated that the use of integrated phyto-depuration techniques can replace traditional water treatment systems (e.g., septic tanks) for the reclamation of prized water settings. 2) The waters of Lake Fimon have been purified; the widespread pollution has been reduced by approx. 80%. 3) A more environmentally conscious small-scale tourism has been promoted in the project area. Car access on Sundays and holidays to the lake area were limited during the project and this is still ongoing. 4) The project has achieved a positive employment impact in the project area, by creating at least 2 new working places. Finally, since the project has ended, the beneficiary has continued the main activities of the LIFE project (e.g. management of phyto-depuration plants, controlled access to the lake in the Summer season, educational activities). Dissemination activities included a website, video, and presentation of the project at some workshops and fairs (eg.“Ecomondo” 2003-Rimini). Following attendance at a major environmental fair in Budapest (Hungary), great interest was shown by Hungarian local authorities about the displayed water depuration technology. A visit to Fimon lake for Hungarian representatives was organised and an article was published in the Oct.2004 issue of a wellknown Hungarian environmental review (“Kornyezetvédelem”, Budapest). One of the main tasks (setting up of a bio-swimming pool inside the lake) was significantly delayed by the unexpected discovery, in the summer of 2002, of archaeological remains that forced the beneficiary to change the foreseen location of the innovative intervention to achieve the “bio-lake”. The proposed new location releaved to be not adeguate after the results of tests on the proposed site, which would have made the envisaged “bio-lake” extremely expensive. It was finally decided to eliminate this action and to realise a small didactic area close to the lake. Despite these delays, the main project objectives were substantially achieved: 1) Five phyto-depuration plants were built during the project's lifespan and these have demonstrated that the use of integrated phyto-depuration techniques can replace traditional water treatment systems (e.g., septic tanks) for the reclamation of prized water settings. 2) The waters of Lake Fimon have been purified; the widespread pollution has been reduced by approx. 80%. 3) A more environmentally conscious small-scale tourism has been promoted in the project area. Car access on Sundays and holidays to the lake area were limited during the project and this is still ongoing. 4) The project has achieved a positive employment impact in the project area, by creating at least 2 new working places. Finally, since the project has ended, the beneficiary has continued the main activities of the LIFE project (e.g. management of phyto-depuration plants, controlled access to the lake in the Summer season, educational activities). Dissemination activities included a website, video, and presentation of the project at some workshops and fairs (eg.“Ecomondo” 2003-Rimini). Following attendance at a major environmental fair in Budapest (Hungary), great interest was shown by Hungarian local authorities about the displayed water depuration technology. A visit to Fimon lake for Hungarian representatives was organised and an article was published in the Oct.2004 issue of a wellknown Hungarian environmental review (“Kornyezetvédelem”, Budapest).
