Willingen _ Schwalefeld Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bontkirchen, Hessen, Germany

The Willingen _ Schwalefeld wastewater treatment plant is located in Bontkirchen, a district of Willingen (Upland) in the Landkreis Waldeck-Frankenberg, Hessen, Germany. The facility serves a population of approximately 9,372 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a German treatment plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Weser River basin. The Weser flows northward through Germany to the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in the region, particularly in the context of Hessen's water management policies.

The plant's treated effluent enters local streams that are part of the Weser River basin. The Weser River flows through central Germany to the North Sea, supporting habitats for fish species such as salmon and trout. The watershed includes agricultural and forested areas, making nutrient management important for downstream water quality. The plant's discharge must meet German standards to protect the ecological health of these water bodies.