Mauth Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vierhäuser, Bavaria

The Mauth wastewater treatment plant is located in the small community of Vierhäuser, part of the municipality of Mauth in the Bavarian district of Freyung-Grafenau, Germany. The plant serves a population of around 2,453 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under EU 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 of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate collection systems and treatment to protect the receiving environment. The plant is expected to meet these regulatory standards. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Danube River basin. The Danube is one of Europe's most important waterways, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for millions of people downstream. The plant's operation helps protect the water quality of this vital river system.

The Mauth plant discharges into the local stream network that feeds into the Ilz River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River flows through multiple countries before reaching the Black Sea, making it a transboundary waterway of major ecological significance. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as Danube salmon and various migratory birds. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this sensitive river system.