Overview
SAUSHEIM wastewater treatment plant serves Ottmarsheim, France, in the Grand Est region. It handles a population equivalent of 420,000, operating under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The SAUSHEIM wastewater treatment plant is located in Ottmarsheim, near the Rhine River in the Grand Est region of France. It serves a population equivalent of 420,000, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Alsace region, known for its industrial and agricultural activity. As a large-scale facility in France, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. The Rhine basin is designated as a sensitive area under the directive, necessitating advanced treatment for nutrient removal to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Rhine River, which flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a critical role in reducing nutrient loads and protecting downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The SAUSHEIM plant discharges into the Rhine River, which drains into the North Sea via the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. The Rhine basin is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse fish species and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can cause eutrophication in the North Sea, so advanced treatment is essential for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The SAUSHEIM plant is located in Ottmarsheim, in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in France, near the Rhine River.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 420,000, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Rhine River, which flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas like the Rhine basin, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal.
For large agglomerations in sensitive areas, French plants typically employ tertiary treatment including biological nutrient removal to meet strict effluent standards under the EU UWWTD.
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