Overview
Ellingen wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Ellingen in Bavaria, Germany, with a population equivalent of 5,286. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring compliance with European standards for seco
The Ellingen wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Ellingen, in the Bavarian district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen, Germany. Serving a population equivalent of 5,286, the plant is part of the municipal infrastructure that manages wastewater from this small agglomeration in the Franconian region. 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 between 2,000 and 10,000. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and nutrients before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Danube River basin, ultimately reaching the Black Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water quality, supporting the ecological health of streams and rivers in the Franconian Alb region, which are important for aquatic biodiversity and downstream communities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Danube River system, which drains into the Black Sea. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as barbel and chub, and is part of a region known for its karst landscapes and groundwater sensitivity. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological balance of these water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
The Ellingen wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Ellingen, in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 5,286, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that are part of the Danube River basin, which ultimately flows into the Black Sea.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000, such as Ellingen, are required to provide secondary treatment. The plant complies with these standards to protect water quality.
In Germany, plants serving around 5,000 people typically employ secondary biological treatment, often using activated sludge or trickling filter processes, to meet EU and national standards for organic matter and nutrient removal.
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