Overview
UWWTP Gaarkeuken serves Oldekerk in Groningen, Netherlands, treating wastewater for approximately 13,333 people. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
UWWTP Gaarkeuken is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Oldekerk, within the province of Groningen, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 13,333 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in a low-lying, water-rich region characteristic of the northern Netherlands. As a facility operating under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), UWWTP Gaarkeuken is required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum for its population size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousand cubic meters per day or similar unit), indicating its scale. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique intertidal ecosystems. The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and canals, and the plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from UWWTP Gaarkeuken flows into the local canal network, which is part of the broader drainage system of the province of Groningen. These waters eventually reach the Wadden Sea, a shallow coastal sea that supports diverse marine life, including migratory birds and fish. The region's low-lying terrain and extensive water management infrastructure make the plant crucial for preventing nutrient pollution and maintaining water quality in this ecologically important area.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Gaarkeuken is located in Oldekerk, in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. The address is 7B, Hoendiep, Oldekerk, 9821 TJ.
The plant serves a population of approximately 13,333 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local canal network, which eventually drains into the Wadden Sea via the region's extensive water management system.
As a Dutch plant, UWWTP Gaarkeuken operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and may require tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary treatment. In the Netherlands, many plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters like the Wadden Sea.
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