Overview
Kaltennordheim wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Kaltennordheim in Thüringen, Germany. The facility treats wastewater for approximately 2,932 residents.
The Kaltennordheim wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Kaltennordheim, within the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen in the state of Thüringen, Germany. The facility serves a population of about 2,932 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under German and EU regulations. As a German wastewater treatment plant serving fewer than 10,000 population equivalents, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwater. For small agglomerations, secondary treatment or equivalent is typically mandated to protect receiving water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Werra River, a tributary of the Weser River system. The Weser flows northward through Germany to the North Sea. The facility plays a key role in protecting the local aquatic environment and downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters small streams in the Rhön Mountains region, which feed into the Werra River. The Werra joins the Fulda to form the Weser, which discharges into the North Sea. The Rhön area is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important corridor for migratory species. Proper treatment is essential to maintain water quality in this headwater region.
Frequently asked questions
The Kaltennordheim wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Kaltennordheim, in the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Thüringen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 2,932 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local streams in the Rhön Mountains, which flow into the Werra River, part of the Weser river system that drains into the North Sea.
As a German plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates appropriate treatment for small agglomerations to protect freshwater quality.
For small agglomerations in Germany, secondary treatment or equivalent is typically required to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge into sensitive freshwater environments.
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