Falkenstein Wastewater Treatment Plant, Breitenbach, Bavaria

The Falkenstein wastewater treatment plant is located in Breitenbach, a district of Falkenstein in the Bavarian region of Germany. It serves a population of approximately 2,642 people as part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the area. The plant operates under Germany's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage required by the EU directive for inland freshwater discharges. With a designed capacity of 3,500 m³/day and an average daily discharge volume of 889.73 m³/day, the facility operates well within its capacity. The treatment process typically involves biological oxidation and sedimentation to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Danube River basin via the Regen River system. The region is part of the Bavarian Forest, an area known for its forested landscapes and aquatic biodiversity. The plant's discharge contributes to maintaining water quality in the sensitive freshwater ecosystems of the Danube catchment.

The plant discharges into small streams that flow into the Regen River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River basin is one of Europe's most ecologically significant watersheds, supporting diverse fish species and migratory birds. The Bavarian Forest region features sensitive aquatic habitats that benefit from regulated wastewater treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain water quality.