Overview
UWWTP Heerlen serves the city of Heerlen in Limburg, Netherlands, treating wastewater for approximately 16,432 people. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
UWWTP Heerlen is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 16,432, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the southern part of the country, near the border with Germany. As a plant in the Netherlands, UWWTP Heerlen operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive to eutrophication. It is expected to meet the regulatory standards for its population tier. The treated effluent from UWWTP Heerlen is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Meuse River basin. The Meuse flows northward through the Netherlands before entering the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Meuse basin and the downstream coastal environment.
Environmental context
UWWTP Heerlen discharges into the Meuse River basin, which flows through the Netherlands and into the North Sea. The Meuse is an important waterway for biodiversity and supports various aquatic species. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this transboundary river system, which is ecologically sensitive due to its role as a migratory corridor for fish and its use for drinking water production downstream.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Heerlen is located in Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands, at Eikendermolenweg 100, 6411 RW.
The plant serves approximately 16,432 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Meuse River basin, eventually reaching the North Sea.
The plant 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.
In the Netherlands, plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum, with some employing advanced nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Meuse.
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