Overview
Walbourg wastewater treatment plant in Grand Est, France serves 1,800 people with advanced treatment. It discharges 321.12 cubic meters of treated effluent daily, supporting local water quality.
The Walbourg wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Walbourg in the Bas-Rhin department of Grand Est, France. It serves a population of approximately 1,800 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated in a rural area near the German border, within the historic region of Alsace. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required 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. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,150 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 321.12 cubic meters, indicating ample reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway flowing through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. By providing advanced treatment, the plant helps protect the ecological health of the Rhine catchment, which supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a critical water resource for millions of people.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into small streams that feed the Moder River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a densely populated and ecologically sensitive region, home to numerous fish species including salmon and eel. Advanced treatment at Walbourg reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and supporting the recovery of migratory fish populations in the Rhine system.
Frequently asked questions
The Walbourg wastewater treatment plant is located at Impasse des Alouettes in Walbourg, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, France, near the German border.
The Walbourg WWTP serves approximately 1,800 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Moder River, a tributary of the Rhine River, which ultimately reaches the North Sea.
The Walbourg plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, in line with EU standards for sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, small agglomerations like Walbourg (under 10,000 population equivalent) require appropriate treatment. The plant's advanced treatment exceeds the minimum secondary treatment requirement, reflecting local environmental sensitivity.
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