Dortmund Scharnhorst Wastewater Treatment Plant, Dortmund, Germany

Dortmund Scharnhorst is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Brackel district of Dortmund, in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 166,710, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. As a large agglomeration, the plant is required to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For sensitive areas, such as those draining into the North Sea, tertiary treatment may also be required. The plant's discharge is regulated under German water law, which implements the EU directive. The treated effluent from Dortmund Scharnhorst is discharged into the Emscher river system, which flows through the Ruhr region and eventually into the Rhine River. The Rhine then drains into the North Sea. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the water quality of the Emscher and Rhine basins, which support diverse aquatic ecosystems and are important for drinking water supply.

The plant discharges into the Emscher river, a tributary of the Rhine, which flows into the North Sea. The Emscher basin is a heavily urbanized and industrial region, historically impacted by mining and wastewater. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream aquatic habitats and the Rhine's ecological integrity. The North Sea receives the final discharge, where nutrient inputs can contribute to eutrophication in coastal zones.