Overview
Meddewade wastewater treatment plant in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, served 762 people with advanced treatment before closure. The facility discharged into local waterways near the Trave River basin.
Meddewade wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Meddewade, within the Stormarn district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The facility served a small population of 762 residents and was designed with a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters per day, though it is now closed. As a German plant, it operated under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for small agglomerations. The plant provided advanced treatment, exceeding the minimum secondary treatment standard for its size. The plant's discharge volume was approximately 193 cubic meters per day, directed to local surface waters. The area drains into the Trave River system, which flows into the Baltic Sea near Lübeck. The plant's location more than 10 km from the coast reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the broader watershed. The closure of the plant suggests that wastewater from Meddewade is now treated at a larger regional facility, improving efficiency and environmental protection. The advanced treatment level previously in place ensured high-quality effluent, protecting local streams and downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharged into small streams within the Trave River catchment, which flows through Schleswig-Holstein to the Baltic Sea. The region features mixed agricultural and rural land use, with sensitive aquatic habitats supporting species like trout and migratory fish. The advanced treatment helped minimize nutrient loading, protecting downstream water quality in the Trave estuary and Baltic coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Meddewade, a municipality in the Stormarn district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, near the K 67 road.
The plant provided advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, ensuring high-quality effluent.
The plant discharged treated wastewater into local surface waters within the Trave River catchment, which ultimately flows into the Baltic Sea.
The plant is closed, likely because wastewater from Meddewade is now directed to a larger regional treatment facility for more efficient and centralized treatment.
In Germany, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) and national water laws, which require appropriate treatment based on population served and receiving water sensitivity.
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