Overview
Qinghai wastewater treatment plant serves 48,000 people in Gonghe County, Qinghai Province, China. It operates under China's national wastewater standards for inland facilities.
The Qinghai wastewater treatment plant is located in Gonghe County (also known as Gser Chen Rdzong), within the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China. The facility serves a population of approximately 48,000, placing it in the medium-scale category for municipal wastewater treatment in the region. The plant operates under China's Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (GB 18918-2002), which sets effluent limits for conventional pollutants and nutrients. For plants serving populations around 50,000, secondary biological treatment with nutrient removal is typically required, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. The plant discharges treated effluent into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Yellow River basin, as Qinghai Province is the source region of the Yellow River. The facility plays a crucial role in protecting downstream water quality in the Yellow River, which supports agriculture, industry, and ecosystems across northern China.
Environmental context
The plant is situated in the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, a region characterized by high altitude and cold climate. Treated wastewater likely discharges into tributaries of the Yellow River, which originates in Qinghai and flows through nine provinces before reaching the Bohai Sea. The Yellow River basin is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for millions of people. Protecting this headwater region is critical for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Gonghe County (Gser Chen Rdzong), Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China, along Binhe East Road.
The plant serves approximately 48,000 people, making it a medium-scale municipal wastewater facility.
Treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Yellow River basin, ultimately reaching the Bohai Sea.
The plant must comply with China's national standard GB 18918-2002, which sets discharge limits for pollutants such as COD, BOD, ammonia, and phosphorus. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment with nutrient removal is typically required.
Located in the headwaters of the Yellow River, the plant helps protect water quality in one of China's most important river basins, supporting agriculture, industry, and ecosystems downstream.
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