Overview
Kriftel wastewater treatment plant serves about 44,500 people in Hessen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Kriftel wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Kriftel, in the Main-Taunus-Kreis district of Hessen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 44,500, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union 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 with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000. For larger agglomerations or discharges to sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required. It is expected to meet the directive's standards for biological treatment and nutrient removal where applicable. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is one of Europe's most important waterways, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical corridor for migratory fish. The plant's operations contribute to protecting the water quality of the Main and Rhine rivers, which are used for drinking water, recreation, and industry downstream.
Environmental context
The Kriftel plant discharges into the local watershed, which flows into the Main River and then the Rhine River, one of Europe's major waterways. The Rhine basin supports a rich ecosystem, including fish species such as salmon and eel, and is an important migratory corridor. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, which is used for drinking water abstraction and recreation downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Hattersheimer Weg in Kriftel, Main-Taunus-Kreis, Hessen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 44,525 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Main River and then the Rhine River.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, and potentially tertiary treatment if discharging to sensitive areas.
In Germany, plants serving this population typically provide at least secondary biological treatment, and often include nutrient removal to meet EU standards for nitrogen and phosphorus, especially when discharging into sensitive river systems like the Rhine basin.
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