Overview
KA Saarholzbach is a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Mettlach, Saarland, Germany, serving approximately 5,750 people. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
KA Saarholzbach is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Saarholzbach district of Mettlach, in the state of Saarland, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,750, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment before discharge. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Saar River and then the Moselle River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a densely populated and ecologically significant region, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical water resource for multiple European countries.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the local stream network, which flows into the Saar River near Mettlach. The Saar River joins the Moselle River, which then empties into the Rhine River. The Rhine basin is a vital ecological corridor in Europe, supporting numerous fish species and migratory birds. The plant's location in the Saarland region, with its forested hills and valleys, means that maintaining water quality is important for both local ecosystems and downstream communities.
Frequently asked questions
KA Saarholzbach is located in the Saarholzbach district of Mettlach, in the state of Saarland, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 5,750 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into local streams that flow into the Saar River, a tributary of the Moselle and ultimately the Rhine River.
As a German plant, KA Saarholzbach operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates appropriate treatment for agglomerations of its size.
For small agglomerations under 10,000 population equivalent, the EU UWWTD typically requires secondary treatment, which includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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