Overview
Winterberg Elkeringhausen wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 6,900 people in Winterberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations
Winterberg Elkeringhausen is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Elkeringhausen district of Winterberg, in the Hochsauerlandkreis region of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The plant serves a population of approximately 6,900 residents, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations. 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 2,000 and 10,000. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate treatment standards. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin. The region is characterized by upland terrain and forests, and the receiving waters support diverse aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to protect the ecological health of these streams and the downstream Rhine ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent flows into small streams in the Sauerland region, which are part of the Rhine River basin. These streams eventually join the Ruhr River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The local watershed supports sensitive aquatic habitats, including populations of brown trout and other cold-water species. Maintaining high treatment standards is crucial to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the ecological integrity of these upland water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 1, Ehrenscheider Mühle, in the Elkeringhausen district of Winterberg, Hochsauerlandkreis, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
The plant serves approximately 6,897 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Ruhr River, a tributary of the Rhine River. The plant operates within the Rhine basin.
As a German plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. National German regulations also apply.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 2,000 to 10,000 PE typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas, more stringent treatment may be required to reduce nutrients.
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