Lingenau Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vorarlberg, Austria

Lingenau wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Lingenau, in the Bregenz district of Vorarlberg, Austria. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,693 people, reflecting its role in managing wastewater for this small Alpine community. 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 of this size. With a design capacity of 4,725 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 282.19 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Bregenzer Ach river, which flows into Lake Constance (Bodensee). Lake Constance is a major drinking water reservoir for the region and supports diverse aquatic life. The advanced treatment helps protect this sensitive ecosystem from nutrient pollution.

The plant discharges into the Bregenzer Ach river system, which flows into Lake Constance, a large Alpine lake shared by Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Lake Constance serves as a critical drinking water source and supports a rich ecosystem, including fish species like whitefish and perch. Advanced treatment at Lingenau helps minimize nutrient loading, protecting the lake from eutrophication and maintaining water quality for downstream communities.