Kirchhundem Oberhundem Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kirchhundem, Germany

Kirchhundem Oberhundem is a former wastewater treatment plant located in the Oberhundem district of Kirchhundem, in the Olpe district of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant was designed to serve a population of 1,553 and had a designed capacity of 2,700 m³ per day, with an average discharge volume of 393 m³ per day. The plant provided advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. The treated effluent was discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Lenne River, a tributary of the Ruhr, and then into the Rhine River. The Rhine basin is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions.

The plant discharged into the local watershed that flows into the Lenne River, a tributary of the Ruhr, which joins the Rhine River. The Rhine basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and serving as a migratory corridor for birds. The region is part of the Sauerland, a low mountain range with forested areas and numerous small streams, making water quality protection important for local ecosystems.