Lunden_Lehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lehe, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Lunden_Lehe is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Lehe, within the Eider region of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The plant serves a population of about 3,643, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). Its location in the Lundenerkoog area places it in a low-lying coastal landscape near the North Sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU UWWTD for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 4,999 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 509.09 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the North Sea via the Eider River system. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can influence the sensitive coastal and marine environment of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its tidal flats and biodiversity. Proper treatment is essential to protect this ecologically significant area from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.

The plant discharges into the Eider River basin, which flows into the North Sea near the Wadden Sea, a globally important intertidal ecosystem. This area supports migratory birds, seals, and diverse marine life. The coastal location means that even secondary-treated effluent can contribute to nutrient loads, potentially affecting algal blooms and oxygen levels in the Wadden Sea. Effective treatment is critical to maintain the ecological balance of this sensitive environment.