Overview
Beblenheim wastewater treatment plant serves 44,000 people in Grand Est, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Beblenheim wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Beblenheim, within the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. It serves a population of 44,000, classifying it as a medium to large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Vosges foothills, an area known for viticulture and rural settlements. As a French facility serving over 10,000 population equivalent, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. For agglomerations above 15,000 PE discharging into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal is typically mandated. Compliance with the directive ensures a defined level of pollutant removal. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway flowing through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The plant's operation helps protect the sensitive aquatic ecosystems of the Rhine basin, which support diverse fish populations and migratory bird species.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a critical ecological corridor in Europe, supporting species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. The region's groundwater and surface waters are also used for agriculture and drinking water, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Beblenheim, a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. Its address is Voie Romaine, Beblenheim, 68980.
The plant serves a population of 44,000, which classifies it as a medium to large agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine River. The Rhine eventually drains into the North Sea.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, for sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal.
In France, plants serving agglomerations above 15,000 population equivalent are typically required to have secondary treatment, and if discharging into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal is standard.
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