ORNBAU Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gern, Bavaria, Germany

ORNBAU is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Gern district of Ornbau, in the Bavarian region of Germany. It served a population of approximately 1,988 people before its closure. The plant was designed with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters per day and had an average discharge volume of 503.11 cubic meters per day. The plant provided advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. As a closed facility, it is no longer operational, and wastewater from the area is likely handled by other regional plants. The plant's discharge ultimately flows into the Altmühl River, a tributary of the Danube, which drains into the Black Sea. The Altmühl River supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a region known for its natural landscapes and ecological importance.

The plant's treated effluent would have entered local waterways that drain into the Altmühl River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube flows into the Black Sea, making this plant part of a large international river basin. The Altmühl River supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive, particularly in its lower reaches where it flows through nature reserves. Advanced treatment at this plant helped reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream water quality.