Overview
Jena Maua wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 7,363 people in Jena, Thüringen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Jena Maua wastewater treatment plant is located in the Maua district of Jena, in the German state of Thüringen. It serves a population of around 7,363 residents, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and discharges into the local watershed. As a German facility, Jena Maua operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000. For smaller plants like this, secondary treatment is the standard, ensuring the removal of organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The treated effluent from Jena Maua likely enters the Saale River, which flows north through Thüringen and Saxony-Anhalt before joining the Elbe River. The Elbe ultimately discharges into the North Sea near Cuxhaven. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Saale-Elbe watershed from nutrient pollution, supporting aquatic life and downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Environmental context
The Jena Maua plant discharges into the Saale River, a major tributary of the Elbe River, which flows into the North Sea. The Saale-Elbe system supports diverse aquatic habitats, including fish spawning grounds and migratory corridors for species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Nutrient removal from wastewater is critical to prevent eutrophication in the North Sea, a region already under pressure from agricultural runoff and urban discharges.
Frequently asked questions
Jena Maua is located in the Maua district of Jena, in the state of Thüringen, Germany. Its address is Jena-Maua, K 2, 07751 Jena.
The plant serves approximately 7,363 people, making it a small to medium agglomeration under EU classification.
Treated wastewater from Jena Maua is discharged into the Saale River, which flows into the Elbe River and eventually reaches the North Sea.
As a German plant, Jena Maua operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of its size (2,000-10,000 PE).
For plants serving around 7,000 people in Germany, secondary treatment is standard under the EU UWWTD. This involves biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring compliance with national discharge limits.
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