Overview
Schweinfurt wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 179,000 people in Bavaria, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Schweinfurt wastewater treatment plant is a major municipal facility serving the city of Schweinfurt in the Bavarian region of Germany. With a population equivalent of about 179,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under European Union regulations. The plant is located near the Main River, which flows through the city and ultimately drains into the Rhine. As a large agglomeration in Germany, the plant is required to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates at least secondary treatment for all agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent, and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to comply with these regulations, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and nutrients. The treated effluent is discharged into the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Main River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important waterway for navigation and recreation. The plant's operations help protect the water quality of the Main and downstream ecosystems, including the Rhine Delta and the North Sea.
Environmental context
The Schweinfurt plant discharges into the Main River, which flows westward to join the Rhine at Wiesbaden. The Rhine then continues through the Netherlands to the North Sea. The Main River basin supports diverse aquatic habitats and is a key corridor for migratory fish. The plant's nutrient removal helps prevent eutrophication in the Rhine and North Sea, which are sensitive to nitrogen and phosphorus loads.
Frequently asked questions
The Schweinfurt wastewater treatment plant is located in Schweinfurt, Bavaria, Germany, near the Main River and the A70 motorway bridge at Oberndorf.
The plant serves approximately 179,183 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Main River, a major tributary of the Rhine, which flows to the North Sea.
As a German plant serving over 150,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment to protect sensitive water bodies.
Under the EU directive, plants of this scale in Germany typically provide secondary treatment with nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) to meet strict effluent standards for nitrogen and phosphorus.
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