Overview
UWWTP Zuidhorn serves approximately 11,133 people in Zuidhorn, Groningen, Netherlands. The plant discharges into the Van Starkenborghkanaal canal, part of the region's extensive water management system.
UWWTP Zuidhorn is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Zuidhorn, a town in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. It serves a population of around 11,133 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under Dutch and EU standards. The plant is situated near the Van Starkenborghkanaal, a major canal in the northern Netherlands. As a Dutch wastewater treatment facility, UWWTP Zuidhorn operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The Netherlands has a robust regulatory framework, with water boards (waterschappen) overseeing treatment and discharge permits. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousand cubic meters per day or similar unit), indicating it is sized appropriately for its service population. The treated effluent from UWWTP Zuidhorn is discharged into the Van Starkenborghkanaal, which connects to the Lauwersmeer and ultimately the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site (though not named here to avoid uncertainty). The Wadden Sea is an ecologically critical intertidal zone supporting migratory birds, seals, and diverse marine life. The plant's operations contribute to protecting this sensitive downstream environment by ensuring treated water meets quality standards.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Van Starkenborghkanaal, a canal that flows into the Lauwersmeer, a former estuary turned freshwater lake, and then into the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is an ecologically sensitive intertidal area that supports migratory birds, seals, and diverse aquatic life. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this important coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Zuidhorn is located in Zuidhorn, a town in the province of Groningen, Netherlands. Its address is Van Starkenborghkanaal Zuidzijde, Noordhornerga, Zuidhorn, Westerkwartier, Groningen.
UWWTP Zuidhorn serves approximately 11,133 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment directives.
The treated wastewater from UWWTP Zuidhorn is discharged into the Van Starkenborghkanaal, a major canal in the northern Netherlands that connects to the Lauwersmeer and ultimately the Wadden Sea.
As a Dutch plant, UWWTP Zuidhorn operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent. Dutch water boards (waterschappen) enforce permits and water quality standards.
For a plant serving around 11,000 people in the Netherlands, secondary treatment is typically required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Many Dutch plants also incorporate nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters like the Wadden Sea.
Nearby plants