Overview
Finsterwalde wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Finsterwalde in Brandenburg, Germany. It treats wastewater from approximately 16,786 residents under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Finsterwalde wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Finsterwalde, in the Elbe-Elster district of Brandenburg, Germany. The facility serves a population of approximately 16,786 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German plant operating under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), Finsterwalde is required to provide at least secondary treatment. For agglomerations of this size, the directive mandates compliance with effluent quality standards, and plants in sensitive areas may require tertiary treatment. It operates within Germany's stringent national wastewater regulations. The treated effluent from Finsterwalde is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Elbe River basin, which flows into the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's surface water quality and supporting the ecological health of downstream aquatic habitats.
Environmental context
The Finsterwalde plant discharges into the Elbe River basin, which flows through Germany and into the North Sea. The Elbe is a major European river supporting diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in the local streams and contribute to the overall health of the Elbe estuary and North Sea coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The Finsterwalde wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Finsterwalde, in the Elbe-Elster district of Brandenburg, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 16,786 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Elbe River basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea.
As a German plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires at least secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with additional nutrient removal in sensitive areas.
In Germany, plants serving this population typically provide secondary biological treatment, often with phosphorus removal and sometimes nitrogen removal, to meet EU and national water quality standards.
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