Overview
ISSENHEIM wastewater treatment plant serves Issenheim, Grand Est, France, with a population equivalent of 56,000. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring compliance with secondary treatment standards for agglom
The ISSENHEIM wastewater treatment plant is located in Issenheim, within the Grand Est region of France. Serving a population equivalent of 56,000, it is classified as a medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and its operations are integrated into the regional water management infrastructure. As a facility serving over 15,000 population equivalent, the plant is required to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU directive. French wastewater plants typically employ biological treatment steps such as activated sludge or biofiltration to achieve the required effluent quality. Its regulatory compliance is ensured through periodic monitoring by the relevant French authorities. The treated effluent from the ISSENHEIM plant is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains 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 resource for drinking water, agriculture, and industry. The plant's operations help protect the water quality of the Rhine basin and its downstream environments.
Environmental context
The ISSENHEIM plant discharges into the local water network that feeds into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine flows through several countries before reaching the North Sea, supporting a rich diversity of fish, birds, and aquatic plants. The basin is ecologically sensitive, with efforts focused on reducing nutrient loads and chemical pollutants to maintain water quality and biodiversity. The plant's treatment contributes to the health of this transboundary river system.
Frequently asked questions
The ISSENHEIM plant is located in Issenheim, in the Grand Est region of France, near the town of Guebwiller in the Haut-Rhin department.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 56,000, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Rhine River basin and then into the North Sea.
As a French wastewater treatment plant serving over 15,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and compliance with effluent quality standards.
Plants of this scale in France typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet the EU directive's requirements for organic matter and nutrient removal.
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