Offenhausen Wastewater Treatment Plant, Egensbach, Bavaria

The Offenhausen wastewater treatment plant is located in Egensbach, a locality within the municipality of Offenhausen in the district of Nürnberger Land, Bavaria, Germany. It served a small population of approximately 1,000 people, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is now closed, and its operational history provides context for local wastewater management. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant met the standard requirements under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000. Although the plant served fewer than 2,000 people, it still provided secondary treatment, aligning with best practices for environmental protection. The designed capacity was 1,750 cubic meters per day, and the reported discharge volume was 253.08 cubic meters per day. The plant's treated effluent was discharged into local water bodies within the Danube River basin, which ultimately drains into the Black Sea. The surrounding region is characterized by mixed agricultural and forested landscapes, and the plant's operation contributed to protecting local streams and groundwater quality.

The plant discharged into the Danube River basin, which flows through several countries before reaching the Black Sea. The local watershed includes small streams that support aquatic life and contribute to the ecological health of the region. The area is part of the Franconian Jura, a karst landscape where groundwater protection is critical. The plant's secondary treatment helped reduce nutrient loads, safeguarding downstream water quality.