Overview
Breitenau wastewater treatment plant in Steiermark, Austria, provides advanced treatment for a small community of 2,621 people, discharging 491.49 thousand m³ annually.
The Breitenau wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Breitenau am Hochlantsch in the district of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, Steiermark, Austria. It is a small-scale facility designed for a capacity of 3,190 m³/day, treating wastewater from a population equivalent of 2,621. The plant is situated in a rural, alpine region of central Austria. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations under 10,000 population equivalent. This level of treatment ensures high-quality effluent suitable for discharge into sensitive environments. The plant's discharge volume of 491.49 thousand m³ per year indicates consistent operation. The treated effluent is released into local watercourses that drain into the Mur River, a major tributary of the Drava and ultimately the Danube River basin. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the aquatic ecosystems of these rivers, which support diverse fish populations and are used for recreation and drinking water supply downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into small streams that flow into the Mur River, part of the Danube basin. The Mur River is a significant watercourse in central Europe, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and industry. The advanced treatment at Breitenau helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region, which is important for downstream ecosystems and human use.
Frequently asked questions
The Breitenau wastewater treatment plant is located in Breitenau am Hochlantsch, in the district of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, Steiermark, Austria.
The plant serves a population of 2,621 people, making it a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Mur River, part of the Danube River basin.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which exceeds the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for small agglomerations.
Austria implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent. The Breitenau plant's advanced treatment reflects national standards for sensitive areas.
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