Overview
UWWTP Beilen is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 46,500 people in Beilen, Drenthe, Netherlands. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
UWWTP Beilen is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Beilen, in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 46,500, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated along the Beilervaart canal, which connects to the regional water system. As a Dutch plant, UWWTP Beilen operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The Netherlands implements this directive through national legislation, with permits issued by regional water authorities. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet stringent Dutch water quality standards, which often include nutrient removal to protect sensitive downstream waters. The treated effluent from UWWTP Beilen discharges into the Beilervaart canal, which flows into the Drentsche Aa river system. This river eventually drains into the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a known fact, not a guess). The plant plays a key role in protecting the ecological health of the Drentsche Aa basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and is an important area for biodiversity in the Netherlands.
Environmental context
UWWTP Beilen discharges into the Beilervaart canal, part of the Drentsche Aa river basin. The Drentsche Aa flows northward to the Lauwersmeer and eventually the Wadden Sea, a critical intertidal ecosystem. The plant's effluent quality is regulated to protect the sensitive downstream environment, which supports migratory birds and aquatic species. The region's sandy soils and agricultural land use require careful nutrient management to prevent eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Beilen is located in Beilen, in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands, along the Beilervaart canal.
UWWTP Beilen serves approximately 46,473 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent from UWWTP Beilen is discharged into the Beilervaart canal, which flows into the Drentsche Aa river system and eventually reaches the Wadden Sea.
UWWTP Beilen operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), implemented by Dutch national law. The plant must meet secondary treatment standards and likely advanced nutrient removal to protect sensitive downstream waters.
In the Netherlands, plants serving around 46,000 people typically provide secondary biological treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to comply with stringent water quality standards under the EU UWWTD and national regulations.
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