Overview
Gansu wastewater treatment plant serves Dunhuang, Gansu, China, with a population of 36,900. It operates under China's national wastewater standards, ensuring treated effluent meets local discharge requirements.
The Gansu wastewater treatment plant is located in Dunhuang, a city in the Gansu province of northwestern China. The facility serves a population of approximately 36,900, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Chinese municipal wastewater management. Its location in the arid Hexi Corridor region presents unique operational challenges related to water scarcity and reuse. China's wastewater treatment regulations, governed by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, mandate secondary treatment as a minimum for urban plants. For plants serving populations between 10,000 and 100,000, advanced treatment may be required in sensitive areas. Typical facilities in this region employ biological treatment methods such as activated sludge or sequencing batch reactors to meet the national discharge standard (GB 18918-2002). The treated effluent from the plant is likely discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Shule River basin, which flows through the Gobi Desert and terminates in the terminal lakes of the Hexi Corridor. This region supports fragile desert ecosystems and agricultural irrigation, making proper wastewater treatment critical for preventing contamination of scarce water resources and protecting downstream habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Shule River basin, a vital water source in the arid Gansu region. The river flows through the Hexi Corridor and eventually feeds into terminal lakes, supporting desert oases and agricultural lands. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and salinization, which could harm the region's sensitive ecosystems and reduce water availability for downstream communities.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, at 40.125000 N, 94.586000 E.
The plant serves approximately 36,900 people, making it a medium-sized municipal facility.
Treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies within the Shule River basin, which flows through the Hexi Corridor and supports agricultural and ecological uses.
The plant operates under China's national wastewater discharge standard GB 18918-2002, which sets limits for pollutants based on receiving water sensitivity. Secondary treatment is typically required for urban plants.
For medium-sized agglomerations in China, common treatment processes include activated sludge, oxidation ditches, or sequencing batch reactors, often with nutrient removal to meet Class 1A or 1B standards.
Nearby plants