Werdohl Wastewater Treatment Plant: Serving Werdohl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

The Werdohl wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Werdohl, within the Märkischer Kreis district of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It serves a population of approximately 22,845, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine 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 with a population equivalent (PE) between 10,000 and 150,000. For plants serving over 10,000 PE in sensitive areas, more stringent treatment may be required. The plant's specific treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but it is expected to meet the directive's standards for biological treatment and nutrient removal where applicable. The plant's discharge contributes to the water quality of the Lenne River, a tributary of the Ruhr, which flows into the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. Proper treatment at Werdohl helps protect downstream ecosystems and ensures compliance with German water quality standards.

The Werdohl plant discharges into the Lenne River, which flows into the Ruhr River and then into the Rhine. The Rhine basin is a critical ecological corridor in Europe, supporting species such as salmon and eel. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this densely populated and industrialized region, reducing nutrient loads and protecting downstream habitats.