Overview
Wasserverband Worthersee Ost serves Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria, treating wastewater for a population of 243,694. The plant discharges into the local watershed, contributing to the protection of Lake Wörthersee.
Wasserverband Worthersee Ost is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, in the state of Kärnten, Austria. It serves a population of approximately 243,694, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee, a significant recreational and ecological water body in the region. As a large agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum, and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. Lake Wörthersee is a sensitive water body due to its use for bathing and its ecological value, so the plant likely employs advanced treatment to control nutrient loads and prevent eutrophication. The treated effluent is discharged into the catchment of Lake Wörthersee, which drains via the Glan River into the Drau River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube ultimately flows into the Black Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality in the lake, which supports tourism, aquatic life, and drinking water supplies.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Wörthersee catchment, which flows into the Glan River, then the Drau River, and eventually the Danube River to the Black Sea. Lake Wörthersee is a sensitive alpine lake that supports diverse aquatic life and is a key recreational resource. Nutrient inputs from wastewater must be carefully managed to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality for swimming and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, in the state of Kärnten, Austria, near the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee.
The plant serves a population of 243,694, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Lake Wörthersee catchment, which flows into the Glan River, then the Drau River, and ultimately the Danube River to the Black Sea.
As an Austrian plant serving over 150,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment and likely tertiary treatment due to the sensitivity of Lake Wörthersee.
For large agglomerations in sensitive areas like Lake Wörthersee, Austrian plants typically employ tertiary treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet stringent EU standards and protect water quality.
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