Overview
UWWTP Alphen ad Rijn Alphen Noord serves about 37,500 people in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
UWWTP Alphen ad Rijn Alphen Noord is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Alphen aan den Rijn, in the province of Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. The plant serves a population of approximately 37,500, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. Its location in the western Netherlands places it within a densely populated, low-lying region characterized by a network of canals and rivers. As a plant serving a population between 10,000 and 100,000, it is required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) to provide at least secondary treatment. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating a facility sized to handle the local wastewater load. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the North Sea via the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. This region is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical migratory corridor for fish and birds. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in this sensitive delta environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local canal and river network, which is part of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta system. This delta drains into the North Sea, a vital marine ecosystem. The area supports diverse aquatic habitats and is an important stopover for migratory birds. Protecting water quality here is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Alphen aan den Rijn, in the province of Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. Its address is Edelsteensingel, Edelstenenbuurt, Alphen aan den Rijn.
The plant serves approximately 37,467 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local canal and river network, which is part of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, ultimately flowing into the North Sea.
As a Dutch plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires at least secondary treatment. The Netherlands implements this through national legislation and permits issued by water authorities.
For agglomerations of this size, the EU directive mandates secondary treatment. In the Netherlands, many plants also incorporate nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters like the North Sea.
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