Overview
UWWTP Stara Zagora serves approximately 174,000 people in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
UWWTP Stara Zagora is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, serving a population of approximately 174,000. The plant is situated in the Thracian Plain, a region with a continental climate and significant agricultural and industrial activity. As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary biological treatment and, for sensitive areas, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with EU standards for effluent quality. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Maritsa River, one of the longest rivers in the Balkans. The Maritsa flows through Bulgaria and Greece, eventually reaching the Aegean Sea. The plant plays a critical role in protecting downstream water quality and supporting the ecological health of the Maritsa basin.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Maritsa River basin, which flows through Bulgaria and Greece before emptying into the Aegean Sea. The Maritsa is a major watercourse supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural irrigation. Downstream ecosystems include wetlands and delta habitats that are important for migratory birds and fish species. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this transboundary river system.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Stara Zagora is located in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, in the Thracian Plain region. The plant serves the city and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 174,000 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Maritsa River. The Maritsa flows through Bulgaria and Greece to the Aegean Sea.
As a Bulgarian plant serving over 150,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and potentially tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For large agglomerations in Bulgaria, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary biological treatment. In sensitive areas like the Maritsa basin, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect downstream water quality.
Nearby plants