A sewage discharge has once again compromised the waters of the lake during the Desenzano Marathon, as reported by the WWF due to an anomaly originating from the mouth of the Pescala stream. On the morning of February 25, 2025, there was a spillage of sewage residues accompanied by an unknown oily substance. Volunteers alerted the Coast Guard after noticing a vast stain extending for hundreds of meters, which dissipated thanks to the rain and the waves of the lake. Acque Bresciane conducted sampling on-site, while local police and firefighters monitored the situation.
Investigations reveal that there are anomalies in the regular flow of the collector, but it is not excluded that the pollution may stem directly from the stream. The water management operator is verifying whether the emergency system for the Marathon was activated due to an overload of the sewage system. For years, the discharge from the Marathon has been under scrutiny for pollution: in 2018, fecal bacteria were found to be well beyond permissible limits, and recent analyses have also shown concerning values. Paolo Zanollo from WWF is now demanding concrete answers regarding the measures taken to address the issues related to the Pescala stream.