Overview
Lohne Ulenburg wastewater treatment plant serves Löhne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, treating wastewater for approximately 71,000 people. The plant discharges into local waterways within the Weser river basin.
Lohne Ulenburg is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Löhne, in the district of Herford, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 71,000 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are integrated into the regional water management infrastructure. As a German plant serving over 10,000 population equivalents, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For agglomerations of this size in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be mandated. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet stringent German and EU effluent standards, ensuring protection of receiving water bodies. The treated effluent from Lohne Ulenburg is discharged into local streams that flow into the Weser River system. The Weser basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in northwestern Germany. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this region, preventing nutrient pollution and safeguarding downstream habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Weser River, which flows northward through Germany to the North Sea. The Weser basin supports a range of fish species, including salmonids in upstream reaches, and provides habitat for migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in the river and the Wadden Sea ecosystem, making advanced treatment important for ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Löhne, in the district of Herford, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Its address is Alt-Schockemühle, Ulenburg, Löhne.
The plant serves approximately 71,000 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into local streams that are part of the Weser River basin, eventually flowing to the North Sea.
As a German plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with possible tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
Plants of this scale in Germany typically employ secondary biological treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet strict EU and national standards, especially in sensitive watersheds like the Weser basin.
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