Overview
Schleusingen wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 6,600 residents in Thüringen, Germany. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Schleusingen wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Schleusingen, in the Landkreis Hildburghausen district of Thüringen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 6,600 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations. As a German facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies from agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet the effluent standards set by the directive, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality goals. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Werra River, a tributary of the Weser River system. The Weser flows into the North Sea, making the plant's operations important for the ecological health of the Werra and downstream aquatic habitats. The region's water bodies support diverse freshwater species and are used for recreation and agriculture.
Environmental context
The Schleusingen plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Werra River, which flows through Thüringen and Hesse before joining the Weser River. The Weser system drains into the North Sea, providing critical habitat for migratory fish species such as salmon and eel. The plant's treatment performance directly influences water quality in these rivers, supporting aquatic biodiversity and downstream uses.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Schleusingen, in the Landkreis Hildburghausen district of Thüringen, Germany, at Flurweg.
The plant serves approximately 6,600 residents in the Schleusingen area.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Werra River, part of the Weser River system, which ultimately reaches the North Sea.
As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater.
For agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent, the EU directive mandates secondary treatment. German plants typically employ biological treatment processes such as activated sludge to meet effluent standards.
Nearby plants