KA Ahlhorn Wastewater Treatment Plant, Großenkneten, Niedersachsen

KA Ahlhorn (plant ID 4580072009) is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Großenkneten, in the district of Landkreis Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,518 and is designed to handle up to 16,000 m³ of wastewater per day, with a current discharge volume of 983.55 m³/day. 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's capacity utilization is low, indicating ample reserve capacity for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the North Sea via the Weser or Ems river systems. The surrounding region is characterized by agricultural land and small settlements, making the plant's advanced treatment important for maintaining water quality in the sensitive lowland streams and groundwater systems of Niedersachsen.

The plant discharges into the local watershed of the Hunte River, a tributary of the Weser, which flows into the North Sea. The region's lowland streams and wetlands support diverse aquatic life and are important for migratory birds. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication.