Kefermarkt Wastewater Treatment Plant: Advanced Treatment in Oberösterreich, Austria

The Kefermarkt wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Kefermarkt, Bezirk Freistadt, in the state of Oberösterreich, Austria. It serves a population of 2,017, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Austrian and EU regulations. The plant operates with advanced treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As an advanced treatment facility, Kefermarkt goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for plants in sensitive areas under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant has a designed capacity of 3,200 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily volume of 466.85 cubic meters, indicating ample reserve capacity for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Danube River basin, ultimately reaching the Black Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the water quality of the region's streams and rivers, which support diverse aquatic life and are used for recreation and agriculture downstream.

The plant discharges into small streams in the Freistadt district, which flow into the Aist River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River basin is a major European watershed, supporting rich biodiversity and providing drinking water for millions. The advanced treatment at Kefermarkt helps reduce nutrient loading, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication and maintaining water quality for sensitive habitats along the Danube.