Alt Schadow _ Trebatsch Wastewater Treatment Plant, Friedland, Brandenburg

Alt Schadow _ Trebatsch is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Friedland, Brandenburg, Germany. The facility serves a population of approximately 3,433 residents and has a designed capacity of 8,000 m³ per day, indicating it operates below its full capacity. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for sensitive areas under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Germany implements this directive through national legislation, requiring advanced treatment for agglomerations discharging into sensitive water bodies. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Spree River basin, a key tributary of the Havel River and eventually the Elbe River. This region is part of the Spreewald biosphere area, known for its wetland ecosystems and biodiversity. The advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into the Spree River basin, which flows through the Spreewald region, a large inland delta and wetland area. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. Treated effluent eventually reaches the Havel River and then the Elbe River, which drains into the North Sea. The advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient loading, protecting sensitive downstream ecosystems.