Ruthen Westereiden Neu Wastewater Treatment Plant, Westereiden, Germany

Ruthen Westereiden Neu is a former wastewater treatment plant located in Westereiden, a district of Rüthen in the Kreis Soest region of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant was designed to serve a population of 1,719 and had a designed capacity of 2,220 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 435.04 m³/day. It is currently closed and no longer operational. The plant provided advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. Although the plant is closed, its historical operation reflects Germany's commitment to high wastewater treatment standards under national and EU regulations. The plant's discharge would have entered local watercourses in the catchment of the Möhne River, a tributary of the Ruhr, which flows into the Rhine and ultimately the North Sea. The region is characterized by agricultural and forested landscapes, and proper wastewater treatment is essential to protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and drinking water resources.

The plant is located inland in the catchment of the Möhne River, which flows into the Ruhr River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine drains into the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important migratory corridor for fish. The region's water bodies are sensitive to nutrient pollution, making advanced treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and ecological balance.