Overview
Knittelfeld wastewater treatment plant serves the Hautzenbichl area in Steiermark, Austria, with a population equivalent of 88,367. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations
The Knittelfeld wastewater treatment plant is located in Hautzenbichl, a locality in the municipality of Kobenz, within the Murtal district of Steiermark, Austria. The plant serves a population equivalent of 88,367, placing it in the category of a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification. As an Austrian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000 and more stringent treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. For a plant serving nearly 90,000 people, tertiary treatment is typically expected if the receiving water body is designated as sensitive. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Mur River, a major tributary of the Drava River, which flows into the Danube and ultimately the Black Sea. The Mur River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the Mur catchment.
Environmental context
The Knittelfeld plant discharges into the Mur River, which flows through Steiermark and into Slovenia before joining the Drava River. The Drava then meets the Danube, which empties into the Black Sea. The Mur River supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for aquatic life. The plant's treatment performance is critical to maintaining water quality in this sensitive river system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Hautzenbichl, a locality in the municipality of Kobenz, in the Murtal district of Steiermark, Austria.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 88,367, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Mur River, which flows into the Drava and then the Danube, ultimately reaching the Black Sea.
As an Austrian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations over 10,000 PE in sensitive areas require tertiary treatment. For a plant of this scale, advanced treatment is expected to protect the Mur River ecosystem.
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