TP 962 of Virrain kt - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Virrat, Finland

TP 962 of Virrain kt is a wastewater treatment facility located in Virrat, within the Pirkanmaa region of Finland. The plant serves a population of around 3,500 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Finnish and EU regulations. Its location in the inland lake district of Finland places it in a sensitive aquatic environment where advanced treatment is essential. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, which is critical for protecting Finland's numerous lakes and rivers from eutrophication. The plant's discharge volume is approximately 574 cubic meters per day, indicating a moderate operational scale. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Kokemäenjoki river basin and the Gulf of Bothnia. The surrounding region is characterized by numerous lakes and forests, making water quality protection vital for both ecological health and recreational use. The advanced treatment helps preserve the natural state of these waters, supporting diverse aquatic life and mitigating nutrient loading downstream.

The plant discharges into local water bodies within the Kokemäenjoki river basin, which flows into the Gulf of Bothnia, part of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is highly sensitive to nutrient pollution, and advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce phosphorus and nitrogen loads that could otherwise contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia. The surrounding lake district supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is important for local fisheries and tourism.