Overview
WIHOGNE is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Juprelle, Liège, Belgium, serving approximately 2,887 people with a designed capacity of 8,280 m³/day.
WIHOGNE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Wihogne, Juprelle, within the Liège province of Wallonia, Belgium. It serves a small population of around 2,887 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban community. The plant is part of Belgium's extensive wastewater infrastructure managed under regional and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 8,280 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 516.05 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and sedimentation. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Meuse River basin, a major European river flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The plant's operation helps protect the Meuse watershed and downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and organic loads, supporting water quality standards under the EU Water Framework Directive.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Meuse River basin, which flows northward through Belgium and the Netherlands before emptying into the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The secondary treatment reduces organic matter and suspended solids, but nutrient removal may be limited, contributing to potential eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies. The plant's inland location and small population served moderate its environmental footprint.
Frequently asked questions
The WIHOGNE plant is located in Wihogne, Juprelle, in the Liège province of Wallonia, Belgium.
The plant serves approximately 2,887 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Meuse River basin, eventually reaching the North Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for small agglomerations.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000. Belgian regional authorities enforce compliance through permits and monitoring.
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