Strassberg Wastewater Treatment Plant, Harzgerode, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Strassberg wastewater treatment plant is located in the Straßberg district of Harzgerode, in the Harz district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The plant serves a population of 2,171 and has a designed capacity of 2,700 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 549.43 m³/day. It operates under Germany's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment for sensitive areas. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As a small agglomeration (under 10,000 population equivalent), it meets the directive's standards for secondary treatment, with advanced treatment providing additional nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Saale River basin, ultimately flowing into the Elbe River and the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's aquatic ecosystems, including the Harz Mountains' sensitive streams and groundwater resources.

The plant discharges into local streams that feed the Selke River, a tributary of the Saale River, which flows into the Elbe and finally the North Sea. The Harz region is ecologically sensitive, with diverse aquatic life and important groundwater recharge areas. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, protecting downstream habitats and drinking water sources.