Overview
Erdesbach wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 13,100 people in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Erdesbach wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Erdesbach, within the Kusel district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 13,100 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary biological treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalents. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet the effluent standards set by this directive, ensuring compliance with national water quality objectives. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Glan River, a tributary of the Nahe River, and then into the Rhine River. The Rhine basin is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in protecting this downstream ecosystem from nutrient pollution and organic loads.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Glan River, which flows into the Nahe and then the Rhine River, a major European waterway. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic species and is a critical drinking water source. The plant's nutrient removal helps prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies, including the North Sea, where the Rhine ultimately discharges.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Erdesbach, in the district of Kusel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, near the Glan-Blies-Radweg.
The plant serves approximately 13,100 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Glan River, a tributary of the Nahe River, and eventually into the Rhine River.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving water is sensitive.
German plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment (activated sludge or similar) to meet EU standards, often including nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies.
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