Overview
Eisenstadt Eisbachtal wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 26,000 people in Eisenstadt, Burgenland, Austria. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scal
The Eisenstadt Eisbachtal wastewater treatment plant is located in the city of Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland state in eastern Austria. The facility serves a population of approximately 26,369, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As an Austrian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treatment process and capacity are managed to meet these regulatory standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Danube River basin, ultimately reaching the Black Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's aquatic ecosystems, including the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park area, a significant wetland habitat for migratory birds and diverse aquatic life.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Eisbach stream, which flows into the Wulka River and then into Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedler See), a large steppe lake on the Austrian-Hungarian border. Lake Neusiedl is a shallow, endorheic lake with high ecological sensitivity, supporting unique reed beds and diverse bird populations. The lake's water quality is highly dependent on nutrient inputs from surrounding catchments, making effective wastewater treatment critical for preserving this fragile ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland state in eastern Austria, along the Eisbachweg in the Katastralgemeinde Eisenstadt.
The plant serves approximately 26,369 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the Eisbach stream, which flows into the Wulka River and ultimately into Lake Neusiedl, a sensitive steppe lake ecosystem.
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 and may require tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent must provide at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas like the Lake Neusiedl catchment, more advanced treatment may be required to reduce nutrient loads.
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