Overview
Spiegelau wastewater treatment plant serves the Reuteck area in Bavaria, Germany, with a population equivalent of 4,748. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Spiegelau wastewater treatment plant is located in Reuteck, a district of Spiegelau in the Bavarian county of Freyung-Grafenau, Germany. This facility serves a population equivalent of 4,748, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated in a rural, forested region near the Bavarian Forest National Park. Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000 are required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) unless discharging into sensitive areas, which may necessitate tertiary treatment. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards for wastewater treatment. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Danube River basin via the Ilz River system. The Bavarian Forest region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important corridor for migratory species. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in the Danube catchment.
Environmental context
The Spiegelau plant discharges into the local watershed, which flows into the Ilz River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River basin is one of Europe's most significant transboundary water systems, supporting diverse ecosystems and providing water for millions. The Bavarian Forest region is known for its pristine streams and biodiversity, making effective wastewater treatment critical to preserving aquatic habitats and preventing nutrient pollution downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The Spiegelau wastewater treatment plant is located in Reuteck, a district of Spiegelau, in the county of Freyung-Grafenau, Bavaria, Germany.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 4,748, which classifies it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that flow into the Ilz River, a tributary of the Danube River basin.
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, with possible tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
For small agglomerations (2,000-10,000 PE) in Germany, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard under the EU UWWTD. In sensitive areas like the Bavarian Forest, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be required to protect water quality.
Nearby plants