Edertal _ Hemfurth Wastewater Treatment Plant | Hemfurth-Edersee, Hessen

Edertal _ Hemfurth is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in the village of Hemfurth-Edersee, within the municipality of Edertal in Hessen, Germany. The plant serves a population of 2,176 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale municipal facility in a rural setting. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for plants discharging into sensitive water bodies under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Germany implements this directive through national law, requiring advanced treatment for agglomerations above 10,000 population equivalent in sensitive areas; however, smaller plants like this one may also adopt advanced processes to protect local water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the Eder River, a tributary of the Fulda River, which flows into the Weser River and ultimately reaches the North Sea. The plant's advanced treatment helps safeguard the Eder's ecological health, supporting aquatic life and downstream water quality in the Weser basin.

The plant discharges into the Eder River, which flows into the Fulda River, then the Weser River, and finally the North Sea. The Eder is a regulated river with several reservoirs, including the Edersee, a large artificial lake used for hydroelectricity and recreation. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and supporting diverse aquatic habitats in the Weser basin.