Overview
Dattelner Muhlenbach wastewater treatment plant serves Datteln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, with a population equivalent of approximately 65,000. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Dattelner Muhlenbach wastewater treatment plant is located in Datteln, within the Kreis Recklinghausen district of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 65,064, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its operations are integral to the region's water management infrastructure. As a German facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, and tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these standards, ensuring compliance with national and European regulations. The operational status and specific treatment level are consistent with typical municipal plants in the region. The treated effluent from Dattelner Muhlenbach is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Lippe River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical waterway for Europe. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of these rivers and the downstream environment, including the North Sea.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Lippe River, a right-bank tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is one of Europe's most important river systems, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region, reducing nutrient and pollutant loads that could otherwise impact downstream habitats and the North Sea.
Frequently asked questions
The Dattelner Muhlenbach plant is located in Datteln, in the district of Kreis Recklinghausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 65,064, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU guidelines.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Lippe River, a tributary of the Rhine, ultimately reaching the North Sea.
As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 15,000 PE and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
Plants of this scale in Germany typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet EU standards, especially if discharging into sensitive water bodies.
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