ARA GAV Mittleres Russbachtal Ulrichskirchen 2230 MI - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Niederösterreich, Austria

ARA GAV Mittleres Russbachtal Ulrichskirchen 2230 MI is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ulrichskirchen-Schleinbach, in the state of Niederösterreich, Austria. The plant serves a population of approximately 6,225 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU classification. As an Austrian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate treatment before discharge into inland waters, ensuring compliance with European environmental standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Danube River basin. The Danube is a major European waterway that flows into the Black Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for millions of people. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local Russbach stream and downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into the Russbach stream, a tributary of the Danube River basin. The Danube flows through Central and Eastern Europe before reaching the Black Sea, supporting a wide range of aquatic life and providing critical habitat for migratory fish species. The region's watershed is ecologically sensitive, with the Danube Delta being a major biodiversity hotspot. Effective wastewater treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems.