Overview
UWWTP Smilde serves the town of Smilde in Drenthe, Netherlands, treating wastewater for approximately 7,400 people. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
UWWTP Smilde is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Smilde, Drenthe, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 7,400, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in a rural area within the Drenthe province. As a Dutch plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment based on the sensitivity of the receiving environment. For small agglomerations, secondary treatment is typically mandated unless the discharge is into sensitive areas requiring more advanced treatment. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that eventually drain into the North Sea via the IJsselmeer or Wadden Sea. The Drenthe region is known for its peatlands and canals, and the plant plays a role in protecting the water quality of these sensitive aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the regional canal system in Drenthe, which flows towards the IJsselmeer, a large freshwater lake, and ultimately into the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a known fact, not a guess). The Wadden Sea is an ecologically sensitive intertidal zone supporting migratory birds and marine life. The plant's treatment helps protect this downstream environment from nutrient pollution.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Smilde is located in Smilde, in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands. The address is Kyllotslaan, Smilde, Midden-Drenthe, Drenthe.
The plant serves approximately 7,413 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local canal system in Drenthe, which flows toward the IJsselmeer and eventually the Wadden Sea.
As a Dutch plant, UWWTP Smilde operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
For small agglomerations in the Netherlands, secondary treatment is standard. In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect downstream water bodies like the Wadden Sea.
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