METTET Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mettet, Namur, Belgium

The METTET wastewater treatment plant is located in Mettet, within the province of Namur, Wallonia, Belgium. It serves a population of 1,669 and operates under secondary treatment, which is the standard for small agglomerations under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant has a designed capacity of 3,600 m³/day and currently discharges 298.33 m³/day of treated effluent. As a secondary treatment facility, METTET provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. For small agglomerations like this, the EU directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating it has room to accommodate future growth or seasonal variations. The treated wastewater from METTET is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately flow into the Meuse River basin. The Meuse River drains through Belgium and the Netherlands into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and maintaining the ecological health of the region's waterways.

The METTET plant discharges into the Meuse River basin, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish species such as salmon and trout, and provides important habitats for migratory birds. The secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, safeguarding the ecological balance of the downstream environment.