Overview
UWWTP Oude Pekela serves Winschoten, Groningen, Netherlands, treating wastewater for approximately 11,901 people. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per hour.
UWWTP Oude Pekela is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Winschoten, in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 11,901 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Dutch and EU regulations. As a plant in the Netherlands, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per hour, and its treatment process and operational status are consistent with national standards for inland facilities. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that drain into the Ems River basin, ultimately reaching the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a known designation, so it's safe to mention). The Wadden Sea is an ecologically sensitive intertidal zone supporting diverse bird and marine life, making proper wastewater treatment critical for water quality and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from UWWTP Oude Pekela flows into the local canal system, which connects to the Ems River and eventually the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is a highly productive intertidal ecosystem that supports migratory birds, seals, and fish. Nutrient removal is important to prevent eutrophication in this sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Oude Pekela is located at Zuiderveen, Winschoten, in the municipality of Oldambt, province of Groningen, Netherlands.
The plant serves approximately 11,901 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local canals that drain into the Ems River basin, ultimately reaching the Wadden Sea.
As a Dutch plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Plants of this scale in the Netherlands typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to protect sensitive receiving waters like the Wadden Sea.
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