Overview
Rheine Nord is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 103,000 people in Rheine, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Rheine Nord is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Rheine, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 103,000, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated in the Ems river basin, which flows through the region and ultimately drains into the North Sea. As a large agglomeration in Germany, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these stringent standards, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and nutrients to protect the receiving water body. The treated effluent from Rheine Nord is discharged into the Ems river, which flows northward through Lower Saxony and into the Dollart estuary, eventually reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a critical role in maintaining water quality in the Ems basin, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems, including the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Environmental context
Rheine Nord discharges into the Ems river, which flows through the Ems basin and into the Dollart estuary before reaching the North Sea. The Ems river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's operations help protect downstream ecosystems, including the Wadden Sea, which is ecologically sensitive and supports rich biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
Rheine Nord is located in Rheine, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, at Hengemühlweg 28.
Rheine Nord serves approximately 103,000 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater from Rheine Nord is discharged into the Ems river, which flows through the Ems basin and eventually reaches the North Sea.
As a large agglomeration serving over 100,000 people, Rheine Nord is required to meet the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
In Germany, wastewater treatment plants serving populations over 100,000 typically employ secondary biological treatment and often include tertiary treatment for nutrient removal, especially in sensitive catchments like the Ems basin.
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