Overview
Olsene wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 6,900 people in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Olsene wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Zulte, within the province of Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Serving a population of around 6,900, it is classified as a small to medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). As a Belgian facility, Olsene is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 discharging into freshwater or estuaries. For smaller agglomerations like Olsene, appropriate treatment must ensure the receiving water body's quality is not adversely affected. Regulatory compliance is expected. The treated effluent from Olsene likely discharges into a local watercourse within the Scheldt basin, which flows through the region of Oost-Vlaanderen. The Scheldt River ultimately drains into the North Sea via the Western Scheldt estuary. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor for migratory fish species. The plant's location inland, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact.
Environmental context
The Olsene plant discharges into a local tributary of the Scheldt River basin, which flows through Oost-Vlaanderen and into the North Sea via the Western Scheldt estuary. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish spawning grounds and migratory routes. The region's lowland topography and agricultural land use mean that nutrient management is critical to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The Olsene wastewater treatment plant is located in the hamlet of Olsene, part of the municipality of Zulte, in the province of Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. The address is Hamstraat, Olsene, Zulte, 9870.
The Olsene plant serves approximately 6,900 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from the Olsene plant is discharged into a local watercourse within the Scheldt River basin, which flows through Oost-Vlaanderen and eventually reaches the North Sea.
As a Belgian facility, the Olsene plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater.
For agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary treatment. Belgian plants typically use activated sludge or similar biological processes to meet effluent quality standards.
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