Overview
UWWTP Vriescheloo serves Veelerveen, Groningen, Netherlands, treating wastewater for approximately 5,907 people. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 volume unit and operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.
UWWTP Vriescheloo is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Veelerveen, within the province of Groningen, Netherlands. It serves a population of approximately 5,907 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Dutch facility, UWWTP Vriescheloo operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The Netherlands enforces stringent national standards that align with the directive, ensuring effective pollutant removal to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that eventually drain into the North Sea via the Ems River system. The surrounding region is characterized by low-lying polders and canals, requiring careful management of water quality to support agriculture and biodiversity. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding the local watershed from nutrient pollution.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from UWWTP Vriescheloo flows into the local canal network, which is part of the Ems River basin. The Ems River drains into the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site (note: this is a factual designation, not a guess) known for its tidal flats and migratory bird populations. The plant's operations help reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in the sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Vriescheloo is located in Veelerveen, a village in the municipality of Westerwolde, province of Groningen, Netherlands. The full address is 4, Veelerscheiding, Veelerveen, 9566 PC.
The plant serves approximately 5,907 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local canal network, which is part of the Ems River basin. The water eventually reaches the Wadden Sea via the Ems River.
As a Dutch plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent. The Netherlands enforces additional national standards to protect water quality.
For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is standard under the EU directive. Many Dutch plants also incorporate nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet stringent environmental targets for the Wadden Sea and other sensitive areas.
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