Overview
WEISSACH wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Weissach in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with a population equivalent of 12,550. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The WEISSACH wastewater treatment plant is located in Weissach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, serving a population equivalent of 12,550. The plant is situated in the rural-urban fringe of the Landkreis Böblingen district, within the Neckar river basin. As a medium-sized agglomeration in Germany, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater. German implementation via the Abwasserverordnung (Wastewater Ordinance) sets stringent effluent standards for nitrogen and phosphorus removal in sensitive areas. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately drains into the Würm river, a tributary of the Neckar, which flows into the Rhine and then the North Sea. The Würm supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory fish species. The plant's discharge contributes to maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Würm river, a tributary of the Neckar, which flows into the Rhine and ultimately the North Sea. The Würm supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The surrounding area is characterized by mixed agricultural and forested land use, with the river providing habitat for species such as the European otter and various waterfowl.
Frequently asked questions
The WEISSACH plant is located in Weissach, Landkreis Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near the L 1177 road.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 12,550, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent discharges into the Würm river, a tributary of the Neckar, which flows into the Rhine and then the North Sea.
As a plant serving over 10,000 PE, WEISSACH must comply with the EU UWWTD, requiring secondary treatment and, if in a sensitive area, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal.
German plants of this scale typically employ activated sludge processes with biological nutrient removal, meeting strict effluent limits for BOD, COD, nitrogen, and phosphorus as per the Abwasserverordnung.
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