Overview
Asten Regionalklaranlage is a major wastewater treatment plant serving over 850,000 people in Luftenberg an der Donau, Upper Austria. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring high environmental standards for the Danube
Asten Regionalklaranlage is a large-scale wastewater treatment plant located in Luftenberg an der Donau, in the state of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich). Serving a population of over 850,000, it is one of the largest treatment facilities in the region, handling municipal wastewater from the surrounding urban and industrial areas. As a plant of this scale within the European Union, it is classified as a 'large agglomeration' under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates advanced treatment (tertiary or equivalent) for sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet stringent effluent quality standards, protecting the receiving water bodies from nutrient pollution and organic load. The treated effluent from Asten Regionalklaranlage is discharged into the Danube River, which flows through Austria and several other countries before reaching the Black Sea. The plant plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological health of the Danube, a major European waterway that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Danube River, which flows through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and other countries before emptying into the Black Sea. The Danube is a vital ecological corridor, supporting numerous fish species, migratory birds, and riparian habitats. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in the Black Sea, a semi-enclosed sea sensitive to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.
Frequently asked questions
Asten Regionalklaranlage is located in Luftenberg an der Donau, in the state of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), Austria. The address is B3, Luftenberg an der Donau, Bezirk Perg, 4225.
The plant serves a population of approximately 851,592 people, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated wastewater from Asten Regionalklaranlage is discharged into the Danube River, which flows through multiple countries before reaching the Black Sea.
As a plant serving over 150,000 people, it is classified as a 'large agglomeration' under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This requires advanced treatment to remove nutrients, especially in sensitive areas like the Danube basin.
In Austria, large treatment plants serving over 850,000 people typically employ tertiary treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet strict EU standards and protect the Danube River and the Black Sea.
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