Beselich Obertiefenbach Wastewater Treatment Plant, Obertiefenbach, Hessen, Germany

The Beselich Obertiefenbach wastewater treatment plant is located in the village of Obertiefenbach, part of the municipality of Beselich in the Landkreis Limburg-Weilburg district of Hessen, Germany. The plant serves a population of about 3,724 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under German and EU regulations. As a German wastewater treatment facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet national standards set by the German Waste Water Ordinance (Abwasserverordnung), ensuring effluent quality protects receiving waters. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Lahn River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a major European watershed supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this ecologically significant river system.

The plant discharges into small streams that flow into the Lahn River, which joins the Rhine near Koblenz. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse fish species, including salmon and eel, and provides habitat for numerous bird and invertebrate communities. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to intensive agriculture and urban development, making effective wastewater treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and biodiversity.