Overview
UWWTP Houtrust s Gravenhage serves over 268,000 people in Den Haag, Netherlands. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for large agglomerations.
UWWTP Houtrust s Gravenhage is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Den Haag, in the province of Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. Serving a population of approximately 268,976, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the coastal region of the Netherlands, near the North Sea. As a large agglomeration, the plant is required to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates secondary treatment for all agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent, with more advanced treatment required in sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in million cubic meters per year or similar unit), indicating its substantial scale. The treated effluent from UWWTP Houtrust is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the North Sea. The North Sea is a vital marine ecosystem supporting diverse aquatic life and commercial fisheries. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting this sensitive coastal environment from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local water network that flows into the North Sea, a semi-enclosed sea bordered by several European countries. The North Sea supports important fisheries and marine habitats, including spawning grounds for fish and migratory routes for seabirds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication, so advanced treatment is critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Houtrust s Gravenhage is located in Den Haag (The Hague), in the province of Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. The address is Houtrustweg, Segbroek, Den Haag.
The plant serves a population of approximately 268,976 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the North Sea. The plant's coastal location requires careful management to protect marine water quality.
As a Dutch plant serving over 150,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
For large agglomerations in the Netherlands, advanced treatment including nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) is standard to protect the sensitive North Sea environment, in line with EU directives.
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