UWWTP HERKINGEN - Closed Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Herkingen, Netherlands

UWWTP HERKINGEN is a former wastewater treatment plant located in Herkingen, a village on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee in the province of Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. The plant was designed with a capacity of 1080 cubic meters per day and provided advanced treatment, reflecting the high environmental standards typical of Dutch wastewater infrastructure. The plant operated under the Netherlands' implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. As a coastal facility, it would have been subject to stringent nutrient removal requirements to protect the marine environment. The plant's treated effluent would have discharged into the surrounding waters of the Grevelingenmeer or the North Sea, both ecologically sensitive areas. The Grevelingenmeer is a saltwater lake and important nature reserve, while the North Sea supports diverse marine life and is a key fishing ground.

The plant is located on Goeree-Overflakkee, an island in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. Treated wastewater would have entered the Grevelingenmeer, a closed-off saltwater lake, or directly into the North Sea. These waters are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as important migratory corridors for birds and fish. Nutrient discharges from treatment plants can contribute to eutrophication, making advanced treatment critical for protecting these ecosystems.