Overview
UWWTP Bolsward serves approximately 26,000 people in Bolsward, Fryslân, Netherlands. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
UWWTP Bolsward is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bolsward, a city in the province of Fryslân, Netherlands. The plant serves a population of approximately 25,972, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Indicating a facility sized for the local community. As a Dutch wastewater treatment plant, UWWTP Bolsward operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the directive requires secondary treatment or equivalent. The Netherlands implements this through national legislation and water board permits, ensuring compliance with stringent effluent standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Wadden Sea, a shallow coastal sea known for its rich biodiversity and important migratory bird habitats. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a well-known designation, so it's safe to mention). The plant plays a key role in protecting this sensitive marine environment from nutrient pollution.
Environmental context
UWWTP Bolsward discharges into the local water network that flows into the Wadden Sea, a shallow coastal sea along the northern Netherlands coast. The Wadden Sea is a critical habitat for migratory birds, seals, and diverse marine life, and is recognized as an ecologically sensitive area. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in this coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Bolsward is located at 21A Hichtumerweg in Bolsward, in the province of Fryslân, Netherlands.
The plant serves approximately 25,972 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately flows into the Wadden Sea, a coastal sea along the northern Netherlands coast.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The Netherlands enforces this through national legislation and water board permits.
For medium agglomerations (10,000-150,000 PE), the EU directive mandates secondary treatment. Dutch plants often employ activated sludge or similar biological processes to meet strict effluent standards for nutrients and organic matter.
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