MALLING Wastewater Treatment Plant, Starup, Denmark - Advanced Treatment, Coastal Discharge

MALLING is a wastewater treatment plant located in Starup, Aarhus Kommune, Region Midtjylland, Denmark. It serves a population of 3,363 and is situated close to the coast, within 10 km of the sea. The plant is currently closed, but its infrastructure reflects the standards of Danish wastewater management. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loads to protect sensitive receiving waters. The designed capacity of 5,120 m³/day indicates the plant was sized for a larger population than currently served, with a discharge volume of 666.33 m³/day. The treated effluent from MALLING ultimately drains into the Kattegat Sea via local streams and the Aarhus Bay area. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is important for fisheries and recreation. The advanced treatment helps minimize eutrophication risks in the sensitive marine environment.

The plant discharges into local watercourses that flow into Aarhus Bay, part of the Kattegat Sea. This coastal area is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine habitats and serving as a nursery for fish species. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms, so advanced treatment is critical for protecting water quality in this region.