Overview
ARA Orth an der Donau 188 GF is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Haslau-Maria Ellend, Niederösterreich, Austria. It serves a population of 3,191 and has a designed capacity of 3,700 m³/day.
ARA Orth an der Donau 188 GF is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Haslau-Maria Ellend, in the state of Niederösterreich, Austria. The plant serves a population equivalent of 3,191 and has a designed capacity of 3,700 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 665.75 m³/day. It is situated near the Danube River, which is the major watercourse in the region. As an advanced treatment facility, the plant goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for plants discharging into sensitive water bodies under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires tertiary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 population equivalent in sensitive areas, but Austria applies advanced treatment broadly to protect the Danube and its tributaries. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Danube River, which flows through Central and Eastern Europe before reaching the Black Sea. The Danube is a vital ecological corridor, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a major migratory route for fish. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, reducing the risk of eutrophication in downstream waters.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Danube River, which flows through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and several other countries before emptying into the Black Sea. The Danube is a crucial freshwater ecosystem, supporting a wide variety of fish species and serving as an important migratory corridor. Advanced treatment at this plant helps protect water quality in the Danube basin, reducing nutrient pollution that could otherwise contribute to algal blooms and oxygen depletion in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Haslau-Maria Ellend, in the state of Niederösterreich, Austria, near the Danube River.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 3,191 people.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Danube River, which flows through Central and Eastern Europe to the Black Sea.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, in line with EU standards for sensitive areas.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving agglomerations over 10,000 PE in sensitive areas require tertiary treatment. Although this plant serves fewer than 10,000 people, Austria applies advanced treatment broadly to protect the Danube basin.
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