BUOCHSAUMUEHLE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Buochs, Nidwalden, Switzerland

BUOCHSAUMUEHLE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Buochs, in the canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland. It serves a population equivalent of 20,300, placing it in the medium agglomeration category. The plant is situated inland, near Lake Lucerne, and plays a key role in protecting local water quality. As a Swiss treatment facility, BUOCHSAUMUEHLE operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates advanced treatment for plants serving over 10,000 people. For agglomerations of this scale, tertiary treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) is typically required to meet stringent effluent standards. The plant's design and operation align with these national requirements. The treated effluent from BUOCHSAUMUEHLE discharges into the local water system, ultimately reaching Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), a large alpine lake that drains into the Reuss River and eventually the Rhine. The plant's performance is critical for maintaining the lake's ecological health, supporting recreational use and biodiversity.

BUOCHSAUMUEHLE discharges into the catchment of Lake Lucerne, a deep alpine lake that flows into the Reuss River, a tributary of the Rhine. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species like lake trout and whitefish, and is an important recreational resource. The plant's nutrient removal helps prevent eutrophication in the lake, which is sensitive to phosphorus inputs from surrounding communities.