Overview
UWWTP Haarlem Schalkwijk serves approximately 51,617 people in Haarlem, Netherlands. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
UWWTP Haarlem Schalkwijk is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Haarlem, in the province of Noord-Holland, Netherlands. The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 51,617, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Dutch facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges to freshwater and estuaries from agglomerations of this size. Typical capacity for such a population would be in the range of tens of thousands of cubic meters per day. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the North Sea via the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. The surrounding region is low-lying and densely populated, with extensive canal networks and polders that require careful management of water quality to protect both human health and aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the regional water system that flows through the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, one of Europe's most important estuarine environments. This delta supports diverse aquatic life and provides critical habitat for migratory birds. The downstream waters eventually reach the North Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with significant ecological and economic importance. Nutrient removal is a key concern in this region to prevent eutrophication in coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Haarlem Schalkwijk is located at Schipholweg in Haarlem, in the province of Noord-Holland, Netherlands.
The plant serves approximately 51,617 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which flows through the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta and eventually reaches the North Sea.
As a Dutch facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges to freshwater from agglomerations of this size.
Plants of this scale in the Netherlands typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to meet stringent EU standards for sensitive areas.
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