Henan Wastewater Treatment Plant, Shangcai County, Zhumadian, Henan Province

The Henan wastewater treatment plant is located in Lugang Subdistrict, Shangcai County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province, China. It serves a population of approximately 98,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal facility within the region. Under China's national wastewater regulations, plants of this scale are typically required to meet the Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (GB 18918-2002), which mandates secondary treatment with nutrient removal for sensitive water bodies. Standard practice for similar facilities in Henan includes biological treatment followed by disinfection. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Huai River basin, a major river system in eastern China. The Huai River flows eastward into Hongze Lake and then to the Yellow Sea. Protecting this watershed is critical for downstream agricultural and urban water users.

The plant's treated effluent enters local streams that are part of the Huai River basin. The Huai River is a major waterway in eastern China, flowing through Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces before reaching Hongze Lake and the Yellow Sea. The basin supports intensive agriculture and numerous cities, making water quality management essential. Downstream ecosystems include wetlands and lakes that provide habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species.