Shanxi Wastewater Treatment Plant, Houma, Shanxi Province, China

The Shanxi wastewater treatment plant is located in Houma City, Shanxi Province, China, serving a population of approximately 90,000. The facility is situated in the Fen River basin, an important tributary of the Yellow River. As a municipal plant, it plays a key role in managing urban wastewater for this part of northern China. Under China's national wastewater discharge standards (GB 18918-2002), treatment plants serving populations of this scale are typically required to achieve at least secondary treatment, with more stringent limits for sensitive areas. The plant's operations are subject to local environmental protection bureau oversight, ensuring compliance with effluent quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Fen River and then the Yellow River, a major waterway in northern China. The Yellow River basin supports extensive agriculture and provides water for millions of people, making effective wastewater treatment critical for protecting downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Fen River system, a tributary of the Yellow River. The Yellow River basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing irrigation for vast agricultural areas. Effective treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream water quality and the ecological health of the river system.