Rohr bei Hartberg Wastewater Treatment Plant - Steiermark, Austria

The Rohr bei Hartberg wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Rohr bei Hartberg in the district of Hartberg-Fürstenfeld, Steiermark, Austria. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,387 residents, reflecting a small agglomeration typical of rural Austrian communities. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates within the regulatory framework of Austrian water management. 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 designed capacity of 2,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 250.49 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treatment level ensures high-quality effluent suitable for discharge into local water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Danube River basin via the Lafnitz River and the Rába River. This region is part of the larger Danube catchment, supporting diverse aquatic life and contributing to the ecological health of the Black Sea. The advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and supports the ecological integrity of the receiving waters.

The plant discharges into the local stream network, which flows into the Lafnitz River, a tributary of the Rába River, and eventually into the Danube River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is part of the larger Danube catchment that drains into the Black Sea. The advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems and supporting biodiversity in the region.