Henan Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nanyang, Henan Province, China

The Henan wastewater treatment plant is located in Nanyang, Henan Province, China, serving a population of 76,200. The facility is situated in the Danjiangkou Reservoir watershed, a critical water source for the South-North Water Transfer Project. As a medium-sized municipal plant, it plays a key role in protecting local water quality. Under China's Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (GB 18918-2002), plants serving populations above 50,000 are typically required to meet Class 1-A or 1-B standards, which mandate advanced treatment including biological nutrient removal. Regulatory expectations for this scale ensure effective pollutant reduction. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into the Danjiang River system, which flows into the Danjiangkou Reservoir, a major artificial lake on the Han River. This reservoir is the source of the Middle Route of the South-North Water Transfer Project, supplying water to Beijing and other northern cities. Protecting this watershed is essential for both local ecosystems and inter-basin water security.

The plant is located in the Danjiangkou Reservoir catchment, part of the Han River basin which ultimately drains into the Yangtze River. The reservoir is a critical water source for the South-North Water Transfer Project, supplying drinking water to millions. The area supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive due to its role in inter-basin water transfer. Downstream ecosystems depend on effective wastewater treatment to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality.