Overview
Kalmthout wastewater treatment plant serves 23,800 people in Antwerpen, Belgium. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Kalmthout wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Kalmthout, in the province of Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. It serves a population of approximately 23,800 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Belgian plant, it 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 plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized to handle the local wastewater load. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Scheldt basin, ultimately reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's surface water quality and supporting the ecological health of downstream aquatic habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Scheldt river basin, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before emptying into the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor for migratory fish. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, contributing to the health of the downstream estuarine and marine environments.
Frequently asked questions
The Kalmthout wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Kalmthout, in the province of Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium.
The plant serves a population of approximately 23,800 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Scheldt river basin, which ultimately drains into the North Sea.
As a Belgian plant serving over 10,000 people, Kalmthout is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size to protect receiving waters.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are required to have at least secondary treatment. Belgian plants often employ activated sludge or similar biological processes to meet this standard.
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