Overview
Solingen Grafrath wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 46,461 people in Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this s
The Solingen Grafrath wastewater treatment plant is located in the Wald district of Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 46,461, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated in a hilly, urban area within the Bergisches Land region. As a German facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalents. Germany implements this directive through its national wastewater ordinance (Abwasserverordnung), which sets strict effluent standards. It is expected to meet at least secondary treatment standards. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Rhine River basin. The Rhine is a major European waterway flowing into the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local environment and downstream water quality in the Rhine catchment.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent flows into small streams in the Solingen area, which are part of the Wupper River system. The Wupper is a right-bank tributary of the Rhine, joining it near Leverkusen. The Rhine then flows through Germany and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The Wupper and its tributaries support diverse aquatic life, including salmonid fish species, and are ecologically sensitive due to historical industrial pollution. The plant's discharge helps maintain water quality in this urbanized watershed.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Lindersberg 40, in the Wald district of Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 46,461 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Wupper River system, which flows into the Rhine River and ultimately the North Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), implemented in Germany via the Abwasserverordnung, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalents, the EU UWWTD requires at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required to reduce nutrients.
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