Overview
Kahla wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 12,500 residents in Thüringen, Germany. The facility discharges into the Saale River basin, contributing to the Elbe River system.
Kahla wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Kahla, in the Saale-Holzland-Kreis district of Thüringen, Germany. The plant serves a population of about 12,469 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal zones, and its discharge likely undergoes secondary treatment to meet national standards. The treated effluent from Kahla plant flows into the Saale River, a major tributary of the Elbe River. The Saale River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in central Germany. The Elbe ultimately drains into the North Sea, making the plant's operations relevant to downstream water quality in both the river and marine environments.
Environmental context
Kahla's treated wastewater discharges into the Saale River, which flows northward through Thüringen and Saxony-Anhalt before joining the Elbe River near Barby. The Elbe then continues to the North Sea. The Saale River basin supports a variety of fish species and riparian habitats, and its water quality is important for both ecological health and downstream uses such as drinking water abstraction and recreation.
Frequently asked questions
The Kahla wastewater treatment plant is located at Ölwiesenweg in Kahla, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, Thüringen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 12,469 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Saale River, which is part of the Elbe River basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea.
As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment, with possible additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.
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