Reckendorf Wastewater Treatment Plant, Baunach, Bavaria

The Reckendorf wastewater treatment plant is located in Baunach, within the Landkreis Bamberg district of Bavaria, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 3,239 people, making it a small municipal facility. The plant is situated in the rural region of Upper Franconia, near the Baunach river. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations under 10,000 population equivalent, the directive mandates appropriate treatment, and Germany often implements stricter standards, especially in sensitive areas. The designed capacity of 4,133 cubic meters per day indicates the plant can handle peak flows. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The advanced treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into the Baunach river, a tributary of the Main River, which flows into the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a vital European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a key migratory route for fish species. The advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems in the Main and Rhine rivers.