Overview
ARA Talschaft Entlebuch in Doppleschwand, Luzern, Switzerland, serves approximately 9,833 people. The plant operates under Swiss wastewater regulations, which align with EU standards for secondary treatment.
ARA Talschaft Entlebuch is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Doppleschwand, within the canton of Luzern, Switzerland. It serves a population of around 9,833, placing it in the medium agglomeration category. The plant is situated in the Emmenmatt area, contributing to the region's water management infrastructure. Switzerland's wastewater treatment standards are stringent, with most plants required to provide at least secondary treatment. For agglomerations of this size, the Swiss Water Protection Act mandates effective nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The treated effluent from ARA Talschaft Entlebuch discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Emme River and then the Aare River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine flows into the North Sea, making this plant part of a large international river basin. The surrounding region is characterized by rural and agricultural land use, with the plant playing a key role in maintaining water quality in the Emme and downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Emme River, a tributary of the Aare River, which flows into the Rhine and eventually the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity. The Emme River is ecologically sensitive, with efforts to maintain good water quality for fish spawning and macroinvertebrate habitats. The plant's nutrient removal helps prevent eutrophication in downstream lakes and the Rhine delta.
Frequently asked questions
ARA Talschaft Entlebuch is located at Emmenmatt, Doppleschwand, in the canton of Luzern, Switzerland.
The plant serves approximately 9,833 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Swiss and EU standards.
The plant discharges into the Emme River, which flows into the Aare River and then the Rhine, ultimately reaching the North Sea.
Switzerland's Water Protection Act requires secondary treatment and nutrient removal for plants serving over 2,000 people. ARA Talschaft Entlebuch complies with these standards to protect sensitive water bodies.
Plants of this scale typically use activated sludge or similar biological treatment with phosphorus removal, meeting Swiss requirements for effluent quality.
Nearby plants