Saal ad Saale Wastewater Treatment Plant, Eichenhausen, Bavaria

Saal ad Saale is a wastewater treatment plant located in Eichenhausen, a district of Wülfershausen an der Saale in Bavaria, Germany. The plant serves a population equivalent of 3,850, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges into the local water system. As a German plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, Saal ad Saale is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant's operational details, including specific treatment processes and capacity, are managed by the local utility to meet these regulatory standards. The treated effluent from Saal ad Saale is discharged into the Saale River, a tributary of the Main River, which flows into the Rhine and eventually the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Saale and downstream ecosystems, supporting aquatic life and recreational use of the river.

The plant discharges into the Saale River, which flows into the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is one of Europe's most important waterways, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and providing drinking water for millions. Downstream, the Rhine reaches the North Sea, a sensitive marine environment. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and protect these waters from eutrophication.