Overview
Burcht wastewater treatment plant serves 27,800 people in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Burcht wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Burcht, part of the Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht region in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. It serves a population of approximately 27,800 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a Belgian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater and estuaries for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. For this scale, tertiary treatment may be required if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Scheldt River estuary and the North Sea. The Scheldt estuary is an ecologically important area supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations, making proper wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality.
Environmental context
The Burcht plant discharges into the Scheldt River basin, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. The Scheldt estuary is a dynamic tidal system that supports diverse aquatic habitats and serves as an important migratory corridor for fish and birds. Proper treatment helps protect this downstream ecosystem from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
The Burcht wastewater treatment plant is located in Burcht, a municipality in the Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht region of Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
The Burcht plant serves approximately 27,800 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from the Burcht plant is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Scheldt River estuary and eventually the North Sea.
As a Belgian facility, the Burcht 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, plants serving 27,800 people (a medium agglomeration) typically require at least secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be mandated.
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