Overview
ENSISHEIM wastewater treatment plant serves Herrlisheim-près-Colmar in Grand Est, France. It serves a population of 14,000 and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The ENSISHEIM wastewater treatment plant is located in Herrlisheim-près-Colmar, within the Grand Est region of France. The facility serves a population of approximately 14,000 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under European Union classification standards. As a French wastewater treatment plant, ENSISHEIM 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 more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway that flows into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and serving as a critical migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's operations contribute to protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically significant basin.
Environmental context
The ENSISHEIM plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine River. The Rhine flows through Germany and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish such as salmon and eel. The region's agricultural and industrial activities make effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.
Frequently asked questions
The ENSISHEIM plant is located in Herrlisheim-près-Colmar, in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France. Its address is Schlittweg, 68420 Herrlisheim-près-Colmar.
The plant serves approximately 14,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that flow into the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine River, which ultimately reaches the North Sea.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of 10,000 to 150,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
In France, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet EU standards. Some may include nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.
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