Overview
Dautphetal _ Elmshausen wastewater treatment plant serves the community of Elmshausen in Hessen, Germany. It handles wastewater from approximately 15,000 residents, operating under EU regulatory standards.
The Dautphetal _ Elmshausen wastewater treatment plant is located in Elmshausen, a district of Dautphetal in the Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf, Hessen, Germany. The plant serves a population of around 15,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU guidelines. As a German 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 directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality objectives. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies 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 water for millions of people. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of these downstream environments.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Lahn River, which joins the Rhine near Koblenz. The Rhine is one of Europe's most important rivers, supporting a wide range of aquatic life and serving as a critical migratory corridor for fish species. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with efforts focused on reducing nutrient loads to prevent eutrophication in downstream lakes and the North Sea.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Elmshausen, a district of Dautphetal, in the Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf, Hessen, Germany.
The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that flow into the Lahn River, a tributary of the Rhine, eventually reaching the North Sea.
The plant helps protect the Lahn River and the larger Rhine basin by treating wastewater before discharge, reducing pollution in these important waterways.
As a plant serving 15,000 people, it falls under the EU UWWTD, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be needed.
In Germany, plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum, with many also incorporating nutrient removal to meet strict water quality standards.
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