Plunges aglomeracija Wastewater Treatment Plant, Varkaliai, Lithuania

Plunges aglomeracija is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Varkaliai, within the Plungė district of Telšių apskritis, Lithuania. The plant serves a population of approximately 24,100 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification. As a Lithuanian facility, the plant 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 advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes and capacity are managed to meet these regulatory standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Baltic Sea via the Minija River or other nearby rivers. The surrounding region features a mix of agricultural and forested areas, and the plant plays a key role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems from nutrient pollution.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Minija River, a tributary of the Nemunas River, which empties into the Curonian Lagoon and then the Baltic Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish. The region's flat terrain and agricultural runoff make nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication in the lagoon.