Overview
TP 578 of Oulu serves 202,000 people in Oulu, Finland. The plant operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations discharging into sensitive areas.
TP 578 of Oulu is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Hietasaari district of Oulu, Finland, in the region of Pohjois-Pohjanmaa. Serving a population of 202,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, a sensitive marine environment that requires stringent treatment standards. As a large agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Given its coastal location and the sensitivity of the Baltic Sea, advanced treatment (tertiary or nutrient removal) is likely required to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads. The plant's designed capacity is 1. Indicating it is sized to handle the wastewater from the city of Oulu. The treated effluent from TP 578 of Oulu is discharged into the Gulf of Bothnia, part of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a brackish, semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it highly sensitive to eutrophication from nutrient inputs. The plant plays a critical role in protecting this vulnerable marine ecosystem by reducing nutrient loads from the Oulu urban area.
Environmental context
TP 578 of Oulu discharges treated wastewater into the Gulf of Bothnia, which is part of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a brackish, semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it highly sensitive to eutrophication from nutrient pollution. The plant's location near the coast means its effluent directly impacts the coastal waters of the Gulf of Bothnia, an area that supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish and birds. Reducing nutrient loads is essential to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
TP 578 of Oulu is located in the Hietasaari district of Oulu, in the region of Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, Finland. It serves the city of Oulu and surrounding areas.
The plant serves a population of 202,000 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from TP 578 of Oulu is discharged into the Gulf of Bothnia, which is part of the Baltic Sea. The plant's coastal location means its discharge directly affects the marine environment.
As a Finnish plant serving over 150,000 people, TP 578 of Oulu operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires at least secondary treatment for large agglomerations, and likely advanced treatment due to the sensitivity of the Baltic Sea.
In Finland, plants serving large agglomerations like TP 578 of Oulu typically provide advanced treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet strict discharge limits aimed at protecting the Baltic Sea from eutrophication.
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