Blaibach Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kreuzbach, Germany (Closed)

The Blaibach wastewater treatment plant is located in the Kreuzbach district of Blaibach, in the Landkreis Cham, Bayern, Germany. It served a population of approximately 1,969 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under German and EU regulations. The plant is currently closed. The plant provided advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Its designed capacity was 3,000 m³/day, and the recorded discharge volume was 498.31 m³/day, indicating a low utilization rate before closure. The treated effluent was discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Danube River basin via the Regen River. The region is characterized by its proximity to the Bavarian Forest, a ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse aquatic life and serves as an important corridor for migratory species.

The plant's discharge entered the local water system, which flows into the Regen River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River basin is one of Europe's most significant watersheds, supporting a wide range of aquatic ecosystems. The Bavarian Forest region is known for its biodiversity, including protected fish species and clean-water invertebrates. The advanced treatment level would have helped minimize nutrient and pollutant loads to these sensitive waters.