Overview
NIEDERLAUTERBACH wastewater treatment plant in Niederlauterbach, Grand Est, France, serves 3,300 people with advanced treatment. It discharges 588.71 m³/day and has a designed capacity of 4,400 m³/day.
NIEDERLAUTERBACH is a wastewater treatment plant located in the commune of Niederlauterbach, in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,300 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under French and EU regulations. It is situated in a rural area near the German border, within the Upper Rhine plain. The plant operates with advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Its designed capacity is 4,400 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 588.71 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The facility is part of France's national wastewater infrastructure, regulated by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and local water agencies. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway flowing into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and serving as a critical water resource. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the sensitive Rhine ecosystem from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into small streams that feed into the Lauter River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is ecologically significant, supporting migratory fish species such as salmon and eel, and providing habitat for diverse aquatic life. The advanced treatment at NIEDERLAUTERBACH reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters including the North Sea.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at D 3, Niederlauterbach, in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France, near the German border.
The plant serves approximately 3,300 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
Treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Lauter River, a tributary of the Rhine River, which ultimately reaches the North Sea.
The plant provides advanced treatment, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of its size.
As a French plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it must comply with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment. NIEDERLAUTERBACH goes further with advanced treatment, reflecting France's commitment to protecting the Rhine basin.
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