Overview
GKA Grossenhain is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 25,000 people in Großenhain, Saxony, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
GKA Grossenhain is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Großenhain, Saxony, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 25,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and plays a key role in managing wastewater for the local community. As a German facility, GKA Grossenhain operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires appropriate treatment to protect receiving water bodies, with more stringent standards for sensitive areas. The plant is expected to meet these regulatory requirements. The treated effluent from GKA Grossenhain is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Elbe River basin. The Elbe flows through Saxony and into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this important river system, contributing to the ecological health of the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Elbe River basin. The Elbe flows northward through Germany to the North Sea, supporting a variety of fish and bird species. The region's water bodies are ecologically sensitive, and the plant's treatment helps protect downstream habitats from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
GKA Grossenhain is located in Großenhain, Saxony, Germany, in the district of Meißen.
The plant serves approximately 25,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Elbe River basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving agglomerations of 10,000 to 150,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment. GKA Grossenhain, serving 25,000 people, must meet this standard to protect the receiving water bodies.
In Germany, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to meet EU standards for sensitive areas. Many also include tertiary filtration or phosphorus removal to further reduce environmental impact.
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