Overview
Ahorntal wastewater treatment plant in Bayern, Germany, serves about 3,374 people with advanced treatment. It discharges 877.10 m³/day and has a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day.
Ahorntal wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Ahorntal, in the Landkreis Bayreuth district of Bavaria, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,374 people, reflecting a small to medium-sized agglomeration typical of rural communities in the region. 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. With a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 877.10 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Rhine River basin, contributing to the water quality of the North Sea. The advanced treatment level helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports the ecological health of the region's waterways.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Wiesent River, which flows through the Franconian Switzerland region before joining the Regnitz and then the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas that support diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as trout and grayling. Advanced treatment ensures minimal nutrient loading, protecting water quality in this karst-influenced landscape.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Ahorntal, in the Landkreis Bayreuth district of Bavaria, Germany, near the village of Kirchahorn.
The plant serves approximately 3,374 people, typical of a small to medium-sized agglomeration in rural Bavaria.
The plant uses advanced treatment processes, which include nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent.
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Wiesent River, which flows into the Regnitz, Main, and ultimately the Rhine River, protecting the North Sea ecosystem.
As a German plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it must meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Its advanced treatment exceeds these requirements.
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