REICHSHOFFEN Wastewater Treatment Plant, Reichshoffen, Grand Est, France

The REICHSHOFFEN wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Reichshoffen, within the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. It serves a population of approximately 4,700 residents and operates with a designed capacity of 6,500 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 838.47 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment requirements mandated by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters, aligning with the directive's requirements for discharges into areas subject to eutrophication. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway that flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The advanced treatment level helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports the ecological health of the Rhine basin, which is vital for biodiversity, drinking water supply, and recreation.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Moder River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is one of Europe's most important river systems, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for millions of people. The advanced treatment at REICHSHOFFEN reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies and contributing to the ecological integrity of the Rhine ecosystem.