Overview
Enger Belke Steinbeck wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Enger in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It treats wastewater for approximately 16,417 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Enger Belke Steinbeck is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Belke-Steinbeck district of Enger, in the Herford district of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant serves a population of around 16,417, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. 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 plant's treatment processes and capacity are managed to meet national standards set by the German Water Resources Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz). The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Weser river basin. The Weser flows northward to the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local drainage network that feeds into the Weser river system. The Weser flows through central Germany to the North Sea, supporting important fish populations and migratory species. The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and small settlements, making the plant's nutrient removal critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the Belke-Steinbeck district of Enger, in the Herford district of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 16,417 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Weser river basin, eventually reaching the North Sea.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations of this size (10,000-150,000 population equivalent) require secondary treatment. The plant must comply with German national standards implementing the directive.
German plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment with nutrient removal, as required by the EU UWWTD for sensitive areas. Many also include tertiary filtration to meet strict effluent limits.
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