Overview
Harsewinkel wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 33,000 people in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
The Harsewinkel wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Harsewinkel, in the district of Gütersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 33,177, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The plant's discharge is regulated by the German Water Resources Act (WHG) and state-level permits issued by the Bezirksregierung Detmold. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Ems River basin. The Ems flows northward through North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony before reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Ems catchment from nutrient pollution and supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ems River basin, which flows through agricultural and urban areas before entering the Dollart estuary and the North Sea. The Ems is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse fish populations and serving as a migratory corridor for Atlantic salmon and sea trout. Nutrient management is critical to prevent eutrophication in the coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The Harsewinkel wastewater treatment plant is located at Dr.-Brenner-Straße 15, in Harsewinkel, Kreis Gütersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The Harsewinkel WWTP serves approximately 33,177 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent from the Harsewinkel plant is discharged into the local water system, which drains into the Ems River basin and eventually reaches the North Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) and the German Water Resources Act (WHG). Permits are issued by the Bezirksregierung Detmold.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are required to have at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be mandated.
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