Overview
Bad Karlshafen wastewater treatment plant in Hessen, Germany, serves 5,500 people with advanced treatment. It discharges 796.83 thousand m³/year and has a designed capacity of 7,800 m³/day.
The Bad Karlshafen wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Bad Karlshafen, in the Landkreis Kassel district of Hessen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 5,500 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are integrated into the local municipal infrastructure. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU UWWTD for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 7,800 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 796.83 thousand m³ per year, the facility operates well within its capacity. The plant is subject to German wastewater regulations, which implement the EU directive and often impose stricter standards for nutrient removal and water quality protection. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Weser River basin. The Weser flows northward through Germany to the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing important ecosystem services. The advanced treatment at Bad Karlshafen helps protect downstream water quality and the ecological health of the Weser catchment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Weser River basin, which flows through central Germany to the North Sea. The Weser supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds along its course. The advanced treatment level ensures that nutrient loads are minimized, reducing the risk of eutrophication in downstream waters and the sensitive North Sea coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at An der Saline 20 in Bad Karlshafen, Landkreis Kassel, Hessen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 5,500 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, helping to protect the receiving water body.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 are required to have secondary treatment. Bad Karlshafen exceeds this with advanced treatment, reflecting Germany's stringent implementation of the directive.
The plant has a designed capacity of 7,800 m³ per day, with an actual discharge volume of 796.83 thousand m³ per year, indicating it operates well within its capacity.
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