Overview
Gross Umstadt _ Richen wastewater treatment plant serves about 24,000 people in Richen, Hessen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Gross Umstadt _ Richen wastewater treatment plant is located in Richen, a district of Groß-Umstadt in the Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg, Hessen, Germany. The facility serves a population of approximately 24,000, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalents are required to provide secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment mandated if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin, which flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically significant basin.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters local streams that are part of the Rhine River basin. The Rhine flows through several countries before reaching the North Sea, supporting important fish populations and migratory species. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with many areas designated for nature conservation. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain water quality in this densely populated and industrialized region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Am Sportplatz, in the Richen district of Groß-Umstadt, in the Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg, Hessen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 24,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges into local watercourses that are part of the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European river that flows into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water.
As a plant serving over 10,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
In Germany, plants of this scale typically provide secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet stringent EU standards, especially in sensitive catchment areas like the Rhine basin.
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