Overview
Mittelahr Altenahr wastewater treatment plant serves Altenburg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, treating wastewater for approximately 10,192 people. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Mittelahr Altenahr is a wastewater treatment plant located in Altenburg, within the Altenahr municipality in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. The facility serves a population of around 10,192 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalents are required to provide secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment mandated if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate treatment standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway that flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and serving as a critical water resource for millions of people.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ahr River, a tributary of the Rhine River. The Rhine basin is one of Europe's most important river systems, supporting rich biodiversity and providing drinking water for millions. Downstream, the Rhine flows through the Netherlands and into the North Sea, an ecologically sensitive marine environment. The plant's location inland, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the Rhine basin.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Altenburg, a district of Altenahr, in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. The address is 18 Tunnelstraße, Reimerzhoven, Altenburg.
The plant serves approximately 10,192 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant treats wastewater that would otherwise pollute the Ahr River, a tributary of the Rhine River. The Rhine flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea.
Under the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), plants serving 10,000-150,000 population equivalents must provide secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment is required. The plant's compliance ensures protection of the Rhine basin.
In Germany, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment (activated sludge or similar) to meet EU standards. Many also include nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Rhine.
Nearby plants