Overview
Wallenfels wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 14,000 people in Wallenfels, Bavaria, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Wallenfels wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Wallenfels, in the Bavarian district of Kronach, Germany. Serving a population of around 14,000, the plant is part of the municipal infrastructure that manages wastewater for this small agglomeration in the Franconian Forest region. As a German wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 10,000 and 150,000. The plant's capacity and treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality requirements. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Main River basin, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine flows through Germany and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of these downstream ecosystems, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the Main River basin. The Main flows westward to join the Rhine, one of Europe's most important rivers, which empties into the North Sea. The region's water bodies support diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as trout and grayling, and are used for recreation and drinking water supply. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and maintains ecological balance in these sensitive freshwater systems.
Frequently asked questions
The Wallenfels wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Wallenfels, in the district of Kronach, Bavaria, Germany. Its address is Am Silberberg 9, 96346 Wallenfels.
The plant serves approximately 14,000 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local water bodies that are part of the Main River basin. The Main River flows into the Rhine, which ultimately reaches the North Sea.
As a German wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent over 10,000. Compliance is enforced by German state authorities.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum. In sensitive areas, more stringent treatment may be required.
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