Lichtenau Altenautal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Henglarn, Germany

Lichtenau Altenautal is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Henglarn, a district of Lichtenau in the Kreis Paderborn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,766 and has a designed capacity of 5,000 cubic meters, with an actual discharge volume of 913.36 cubic meters. As an advanced treatment facility, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, meeting the stringent requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size (under 10,000 population equivalent), the directive mandates secondary treatment, but the plant's advanced level indicates a higher standard, likely due to the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The plant discharges into local watercourses that are part of the Rhine basin, ultimately flowing into the North Sea. Its advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the region's rivers and streams.

The plant discharges into the Altenautal stream, a tributary of the Altenau River, which flows into the Lippe and then the Rhine, eventually reaching the North Sea. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream habitats.