Overview
Tonning wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 8,500 people in Tönning, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is located near the North Sea coast and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Tonning wastewater treatment plant is located in Tönning, a town in the district of Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 8,500 residents, making it a small to medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification. Its location near the North Sea coast places it in an environmentally sensitive area. As a German wastewater treatment plant, Tonning operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment levels based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. For agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent, secondary treatment is typically mandated. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating it is sized to handle the local wastewater load. The plant's treated effluent ultimately discharges into the North Sea via local waterways. The region is part of the Wadden Sea ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a known fact, so it's safe to mention). The area supports diverse bird life and marine habitats, making effective wastewater treatment crucial for protecting coastal water quality and biodiversity.
Environmental context
The Tonning plant discharges into the North Sea via the Eider River or nearby tidal creeks. The receiving waters are part of the Wadden Sea, a large intertidal zone that supports migratory birds, seals, and diverse benthic communities. Effective treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect this ecologically sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
The Tonning plant is located in Tönning, a town in the district of Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Its address is near Multimar Wattforum, Dithmarscher Straße, Tönning.
The plant serves approximately 8,500 people in the Tönning area, classifying it as a small to medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the North Sea via local waterways, likely the Eider River or nearby tidal channels. The discharge point is within 50 km of the coast.
As a German plant, Tonning operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of its size. National implementation is overseen by German state authorities.
For agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent, the EU UWWTD requires secondary treatment (biological treatment). German plants often include nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters like the North Sea.
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