Overview
UWWTP Skofja Loka serves approximately 25,500 people in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
UWWTP Skofja Loka is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Puštal area of Škofja Loka, Slovenia. Serving a population of around 25,500, the facility is part of the country's wastewater infrastructure managed under national and European regulations. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for populations over 2,000. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Sora River, a tributary of the Sava River, which flows into the Danube River and ultimately the Black Sea. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity and water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sora River, which flows into the Sava River, a major tributary of the Danube River. The Danube basin is one of Europe's most significant river systems, supporting a wide range of aquatic species and providing water for agriculture, industry, and drinking water. The Sora River itself is a relatively small river that contributes to the overall water quality of the Sava and Danube. Protecting this watershed is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and preventing nutrient pollution that could lead to eutrophication in downstream water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
UWWTP Skofja Loka is located in the Puštal area of Škofja Loka, Slovenia, at coordinates 46.16 N, 14.32 E.
The plant serves approximately 25,524 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Sora River, which flows into the Sava River and eventually the Danube River, reaching the Black Sea.
As a plant serving over 10,000 people, it is subject to the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
In Slovenia, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EU standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal.
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