Zalaegerszeg Szennyviztisztito Telep - Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hungary

Zalaegerszeg Szennyviztisztito Telep is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Zalaegerszeg, in the Nyugat-Dunántúl region of Hungary. The plant serves a population of approximately 93,487, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. As a plant of this scale in Hungary, it is expected to provide at least secondary treatment in accordance with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The directive requires more advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive areas, which may apply depending on the receiving water body. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Zala River, which flows into Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest lake. Lake Balaton is a vital ecological and recreational resource, supporting diverse aquatic life and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into the Zala River, which is the primary inflow to Lake Balaton. Lake Balaton is a shallow, nutrient-sensitive lake that supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is a major tourist destination. Protecting its water quality requires effective nutrient removal, which is a key consideration for wastewater treatment in the region.