Overview
Köthen wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Köthen (Anhalt) in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, with a population equivalent of approximately 40,864. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Köthen wastewater treatment plant is located in Köthen (Anhalt), a city in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It serves a population equivalent of around 40,864, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment processes and capacity are designed to meet these standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality requirements. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Elbe River basin. The Elbe flows through Germany and into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and the ecological health of the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Elbe River basin, which flows through Saxony-Anhalt and eventually reaches the North Sea. The Elbe supports a variety of fish species and migratory birds, making it an ecologically important waterway. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality and protect downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Köthen (Anhalt), in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 40,864 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which drains into the Elbe River basin and ultimately the North Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving over 10,000 people typically require secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
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