Overview
Genk wastewater treatment plant serves 69,000 people in Limburg, Belgium. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Genk wastewater treatment plant is located in Genk, Limburg, Belgium, serving a population of approximately 69,000. The plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the city and surrounding area. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for populations over 10,000. The plant's treatment process and capacity are managed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and European environmental goals. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Scheldt basin, contributing to the protection of downstream ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the region, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses of the waterways.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Demer River, a tributary of the Dijle, which flows into the Rupel and then the Scheldt estuary, eventually reaching the North Sea. The Scheldt basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The region's water quality is influenced by both urban and industrial inputs, making effective treatment critical for downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The Genk wastewater treatment plant is located at 12, Diepenbekerbos, Genk, Limburg, Flanders, Belgium.
The plant serves approximately 69,000 people in the city of Genk and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Demer River, which flows through the Scheldt basin to the North Sea.
As a Belgian plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment and compliance with effluent standards.
Plants of this scale in Belgium typically provide secondary treatment, and may include nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas, as required by the EU directive.
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