Overview
Zwalm wastewater treatment plant serves Munkzwalm, Belgium, treating wastewater for approximately 17,300 people in the Oost-Vlaanderen region.
The Zwalm wastewater treatment plant is located in Munkzwalm, a town within the municipality of Zwalm in Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. It serves a population of approximately 17,300 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under European Union regulations. As a Belgian plant, Zwalm operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Scheldt basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea. This discharge supports the ecological health of the river system and contributes to the overall water quality management in the region.
Environmental context
The Zwalm plant discharges into the Zwalm River, a tributary of the Scheldt, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. The Scheldt estuary is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important migratory corridor for fish. Nutrient management from wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent eutrophication in the river and coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
The Zwalm plant is located in Munkzwalm, a town in the municipality of Zwalm, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Its address is Zwalmweg, Munkzwalm, Zwalm, Oudenaarde, Oost-Vlaanderen.
The plant serves approximately 17,300 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated wastewater from the Zwalm plant is discharged into the Zwalm River, a tributary of the Scheldt, which eventually flows into the North Sea.
As a Belgian facility, the Zwalm plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which sets standards for collection, treatment, and discharge of urban wastewater.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving populations between 10,000 and 100,000 are generally required to have secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be needed.
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