Malente Wastewater Treatment Plant: Serving 11,000 People in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

The Malente wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Malente, in the district of Ostholstein, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It serves a population of around 11,000 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 2,000 and 15,000 population equivalents discharging into inland waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in million cubic meters per year or similar unit), indicating its scale. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Baltic Sea. The region's aquatic ecosystems benefit from the treatment standards set by the directive, which aim to reduce nutrient loads and protect downstream environments.

The plant's treated effluent flows into small streams and rivers in the Ostholstein region, which ultimately drain into the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is a brackish inland sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. Effective wastewater treatment helps control eutrophication and supports the diverse marine life in the area.