SARRALBE WILLERWALD Wastewater Treatment Plant, Herbitzheim, Grand Est, France

SARRALBE WILLERWALD is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Herbitzheim, a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,400 people and operates under the regulatory framework of the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU directive for agglomerations of this size in normal areas. With a designed capacity of 12,500 m³/day and an average daily discharge of 784.95 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway that flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions of people. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into the local water system that feeds into the Rhine River basin, one of Europe's most important waterways. The Rhine flows through several countries before reaching the North Sea, supporting a wide range of aquatic species and serving as a critical habitat for migratory fish. The surrounding region in Grand Est is characterized by agricultural and industrial activities, making effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological health of the river and its downstream delta.