Hornbach Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hornbach, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

The Hornbach wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Hornbach, in the Südwestpfalz district of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. It serves a population of 2,277, placing it in the small agglomeration category under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The plant is situated in a rural area near the border with France. As a secondary treatment facility, Hornbach meets the minimum standard required by the EU UWWTD for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 890.64 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Rhine River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the region's streams and the downstream Rhine ecosystem, which supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish.

The plant discharges into small streams in the Hornbach area, which are part of the Rhine River basin. These streams flow into the Blies River, then the Saar River, and ultimately the Moselle and Rhine. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic habitats and serving as a critical corridor for migratory fish species. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and protect downstream water quality.