Gellenhaza Szennyviztisztito Telep - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Gellénháza, Hungary

Gellenhaza Szennyviztisztito Telep is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Gellénháza, a village in Zala County, western Hungary. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,786 people, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for this small community. It is situated in the Nyugat-Dunántúl region, an area characterized by rolling hills and a temperate continental climate. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a design capacity of 3,000 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 328.42 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variations. The advanced treatment level ensures high-quality effluent suitable for discharge into sensitive environments. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Zala River, a tributary of Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake. Lake Balaton is a vital ecological and recreational resource, and the plant's advanced treatment helps protect its water quality. The facility's operations contribute to the preservation of the region's aquatic ecosystems and support the broader environmental goals of the Danube River Basin.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Zala River, which is the primary inflow to Lake Balaton. Lake Balaton is a shallow, nutrient-sensitive lake that supports diverse aquatic life and is a major tourist destination. The advanced treatment at Gellenhaza helps minimize nutrient loading, reducing the risk of eutrophication in the lake. The watershed is part of the Danube River Basin, ultimately draining into the Black Sea.