Overview
Aalst wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 78,600 people in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Aalst wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Aalst, within the province of Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. It serves a population of approximately 78,600, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated near the Meersstraat in Hofstade, a sub-municipality of Aalst. As a Belgian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure investment. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Scheldt River basin. The Scheldt flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in the Scheldt basin and downstream coastal areas.
Environmental context
The Aalst plant discharges into the Dender River, a tributary of the Scheldt River. The Scheldt flows through Belgium and the Netherlands, eventually reaching the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important migratory route for fish species. The plant's treatment processes help reduce nutrient loads and pollutants, protecting downstream water quality in the Scheldt estuary and coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The Aalst plant is located at Meersstraat in Hofstade, a sub-municipality of Aalst, in the province of Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
The plant serves approximately 78,600 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Dender River, a tributary of the Scheldt River, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands to the North Sea.
As a Belgian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and potentially tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent must have at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, more advanced treatment may be required to reduce nutrients.
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