Overview
DETTWILLER wastewater treatment plant serves Melsheim, France, in the Grand Est region. It handles a population equivalent of 21,000 and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The DETTWILLER wastewater treatment plant is located in Melsheim, a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France. The facility serves a population equivalent of 21,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires appropriate treatment before discharge into sensitive areas, which are common in the region's river systems. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this transboundary basin.
Environmental context
The DETTWILLER plant discharges into tributaries of the Rhine River, which flows through the Upper Rhine Valley before reaching the North Sea. The Rhine basin supports a rich diversity of fish, invertebrates, and migratory birds. The region's agricultural and industrial activities place demands on water quality, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining ecological balance and downstream uses.
Frequently asked questions
The DETTWILLER plant is located at Rue du Stade, Melsheim, in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 21,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Rhine River basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment.
For agglomerations of this size, French plants typically provide secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Rhine.
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