Overview
Dahn wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 5,200 people in Dahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
The Dahn wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Dahn, in the Südwestpfalz district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 5,200 residents, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway that flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local aquatic environment and downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution.
Environmental context
The Dahn plant discharges into small streams that feed into the Lauter River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The region's forests and sandstone landscapes contribute to the ecological sensitivity of local waters, requiring effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The Dahn wastewater treatment plant is located on B 427 in Reichenbach, near the town of Dahn, in the Südwestpfalz district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
The Dahn plant serves approximately 5,200 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU definitions.
The treated wastewater from the Dahn plant is discharged into local streams that flow into the Lauter River, a tributary of the Rhine River, which ultimately drains into the North Sea.
As a German facility, the Dahn plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection and treatment based on agglomeration size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000 are generally required to have secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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