Engelhartszell Wastewater Treatment Plant, Neustift im Mühlkreis, Upper Austria

The Engelhartszell wastewater treatment plant is located in Neustift im Mühlkreis, a municipality in the Rohrbach district of Upper Austria. The plant serves a population of 2,648 and operates with a designed capacity of 3,500 cubic meters per day, currently treating 546.11 cubic meters daily. It is situated near the Danube River, which is the primary receiving water body. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, meeting the stringent requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations like Engelhartszell, the directive mandates secondary treatment, but the plant goes beyond with advanced treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent. This reflects Austria's commitment to protecting the Danube River basin. The treated effluent is discharged into the Danube River, which flows through multiple countries before reaching the Black Sea. The Danube is a vital ecological corridor, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for millions. The plant's advanced treatment helps maintain the river's water quality and ecological health.

The Engelhartszell plant discharges into the Danube River, which flows eastward through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and several other countries before emptying into the Black Sea. The Danube is one of Europe's most important waterways, supporting a rich diversity of fish and bird species. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems, including sensitive floodplain forests and wetlands that rely on clean water.