Overview
Sauerbachtal Schonau is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Hirschthal, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It serves approximately 2,350 people with a designed capacity of 3,850 m³/day.
Sauerbachtal Schonau is a wastewater treatment plant located in Hirschthal, a municipality in the Dahner Felsenland region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,350 and has a designed capacity of 3,850 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 596.48 m³/day. 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. This level of treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) and may involve additional filtration or disinfection steps, ensuring high-quality effluent. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhine River basin. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the sensitive ecosystems of the Palatinate Forest, a region known for its biodiversity and water quality. By maintaining stringent treatment standards, the plant supports the ecological health of downstream water bodies.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sauerbach stream, a tributary of the Lauter River, which flows into the Rhine River near Karlsruhe. The Rhine eventually reaches the North Sea. The Palatinate Forest region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important corridor for migratory species. Advanced treatment at the plant helps minimize nutrient loading and protects the water quality of these downstream environments.
Frequently asked questions
Sauerbachtal Schonau is located in Hirschthal, a municipality in the Dahner Felsenland area of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 2,350 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Sauerbach stream, which flows into the Lauter River and eventually the Rhine River, reaching the North Sea.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal and additional purification steps beyond secondary treatment, ensuring high effluent quality.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of this size are required to provide secondary treatment. Sauerbachtal Schonau exceeds this requirement with advanced treatment, which is typical for sensitive areas like the Palatinate Forest.
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