Anhui Wastewater Treatment Plant, Huoqiu County, Lu'an, Anhui

The Anhui wastewater treatment plant is located in Huoqiu County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province, China. It serves a population of approximately 165,000, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under Chinese wastewater management frameworks. The plant is situated in an inland area, away from coastal influences, and its operations are integral to local water quality management. Under China's national wastewater discharge standards (GB 18918-2002), plants serving populations over 100,000 are typically required to achieve secondary treatment with nutrient removal, especially in sensitive watersheds. Regulatory expectations for this scale emphasize robust treatment to protect receiving waters. The plant discharges into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Huai River basin, a major river system in eastern China. The Huai River flows eastward into Hongze Lake and eventually reaches the Yellow Sea. This watershed supports extensive agricultural activity and is ecologically significant for fisheries and biodiversity.

The plant's treated effluent enters local waterways within the Huai River basin, which drains into Hongze Lake and then the Yellow Sea. The Huai River system is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation and domestic use. Downstream areas include wetlands and lakes that are important for migratory birds and fish spawning. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in this densely populated agricultural region.