HAMOIR Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fairon, Belgium | Secondary Treatment

The HAMOIR wastewater treatment plant is located in Fairon, within the municipality of Hamoir in the Liège province of Wallonia, Belgium. This facility serves a small population of 263 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated in the Ourthe River valley, a region known for its rolling hills and agricultural landscape. As a secondary treatment plant, HAMOIR provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) of less than 2,000 are subject to appropriate treatment requirements, which secondary treatment fulfills. The plant's designed capacity of 2025 m³/day suggests it can handle peak flows, though current discharge volume is 47.01 m³/day. The treated effluent from HAMOIR is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually flows into the Ourthe River, a tributary of the Meuse River. The Meuse River drains into the North Sea via the Dutch delta. The Ourthe River supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and fishing. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to protect water quality in this sensitive river system.

The HAMOIR plant discharges into a local stream that feeds the Ourthe River, a major tributary of the Meuse River. The Meuse flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. The Ourthe River valley is ecologically sensitive, supporting fish populations such as brown trout and grayling, and is an important corridor for migratory birds. Effective secondary treatment helps maintain water quality and prevents eutrophication downstream.