Overview
Balassagyarmat Szennyviztisztito Telep serves Vrbovka, Hungary, treating wastewater for approximately 16,514 people. The plant operates under EU regulations for medium agglomerations.
Balassagyarmat Szennyviztisztito Telep is a wastewater treatment plant located in Vrbovka, within the Banskobystrický kraj region of Hungary. It serves a population of around 16,514, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU standards. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are integral to local water management. As a facility in an EU member state, the plant is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets minimum treatment standards to protect receiving waters. Its population served indicates a moderate scale of operation. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Danube River basin, a major European watershed. This connection underscores the plant's role in safeguarding downstream ecosystems, including the Danube Delta and the Black Sea. Effective treatment here helps reduce nutrient loading and protect aquatic biodiversity in this transboundary river system.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters local streams that flow into the Ipoly River, a tributary of the Danube. The Danube River basin is a critical ecological corridor supporting diverse fish species, migratory birds, and riparian habitats. Downstream, the Danube Delta is a sensitive wetland ecosystem that relies on balanced nutrient inputs. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining water quality in this internationally significant watershed.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Vrbovka, within the Banskobystrický kraj region of Hungary, near the border with Slovakia.
The plant serves approximately 16,514 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU definitions.
Treated wastewater is discharged into local streams that feed into the Ipoly River, a tributary of the Danube River basin.
As a Hungarian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people.
Under the EU directive, plants serving 10,000-150,000 people require secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.