Satzkorn Wastewater Treatment Plant, Potsdam, Brandenburg

Satzkorn wastewater treatment plant is located in the Fahrland district of Potsdam, in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 7,459 people, making it a medium-sized facility within the region. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under Germany's strict environmental regulations. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 10,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 852 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The plant's advanced treatment ensures high-quality effluent that minimizes environmental impact. The treated wastewater is discharged into local water bodies that eventually flow into the Havel River, a tributary of the Elbe River, which drains into the North Sea. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in protecting the Havel and Elbe river ecosystems, which support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the Havel River basin, which flows into the Elbe River and ultimately the North Sea. The Havel is a slow-flowing lowland river that supports diverse aquatic habitats, including wetlands and floodplains. Advanced treatment at Satzkorn helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream water quality and preventing eutrophication in sensitive areas of the Elbe estuary.