Jilin Wastewater Treatment Plant, Changchun, Jilin Province, China

The Jilin wastewater treatment plant is located in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in northeastern China. It serves a population of approximately 511,000, classifying it as a large-scale municipal facility within the region's urban wastewater infrastructure. As a major treatment plant in China, it is subject to the national Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (GB 18918-2002), which sets effluent limits for conventional pollutants and nutrients. For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment with nutrient removal is typically required to protect receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Songhua River basin. The Songhua River flows through Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces before entering the Amur River (Heilongjiang) and eventually the Sea of Okhotsk. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and industry downstream.

The plant discharges into the Songhua River basin, a major tributary of the Amur River system. The Songhua River flows through northeastern China, supporting fisheries and irrigation. Downstream, the river crosses into Russia and empties into the Sea of Okhotsk, an ecologically productive marine area. The watershed is subject to seasonal ice cover and industrial pollution pressures, making effective treatment critical for maintaining water quality and aquatic biodiversity.