Overview
KA Freren is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Freren, Niedersachsen, Germany, serving about 7,500 people with a design capacity of 14,000 m³/day.
KA Freren (4544022001) is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Freren, a town in the Samtgemeinde Freren, Landkreis Emsland, Niedersachsen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 7,500 and has a design capacity of 14,000 m³/day, indicating it is sized for a medium agglomeration under EU classification. 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 discharges an average volume of about 986 m³/day of treated wastewater. The treated effluent from KA Freren is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Ems River basin, eventually reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the Emsland region, supporting aquatic ecosystems and downstream uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ems River catchment, which flows northward through Niedersachsen into the Dollart estuary and the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species such as salmon and eel. The advanced treatment level helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in the sensitive coastal waters of the Wadden Sea area.
Frequently asked questions
KA Freren is located in Freren, in the Samtgemeinde Freren, Landkreis Emsland, Niedersachsen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 7,491 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU definitions.
KA Freren provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, to protect the receiving water body.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations of this size require secondary treatment as a minimum. KA Freren exceeds this with advanced treatment, which is often required in sensitive areas to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads.
The plant has a design capacity of 14,000 m³ per day, which is larger than the current average discharge volume, indicating capacity for future growth.
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