Overview
HIRZEL wastewater treatment plant serves the Hirzel area of Horgen, Switzerland, in the canton of Zürich. It treats wastewater for a population of approximately 4,800 people.
The HIRZEL wastewater treatment plant is located in the Hirzel district of Horgen, within the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. It serves a population of around 4,800 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated in a hilly, peri-urban area near Lake Zurich. As a Swiss treatment plant, HIRZEL operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates appropriate treatment for all wastewater discharges. For a facility of this size, secondary treatment with nutrient removal is typically required to protect sensitive water bodies. Swiss regulations ensure compliance with stringent effluent standards. The treated effluent from HIRZEL is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into Lake Zurich, a large alpine lake. Lake Zurich is a vital drinking water source and recreational area, supporting diverse aquatic life. The plant plays a key role in maintaining the lake's water quality by removing pollutants before discharge.
Environmental context
HIRZEL's treated wastewater flows into small streams that feed into Lake Zurich, a deep, oligotrophic lake in the Swiss Plateau. The lake is a critical drinking water reservoir for the Zurich metropolitan area and supports a sensitive ecosystem, including fish species like whitefish and perch. Protecting the lake from nutrient pollution is essential to prevent algal blooms and maintain water clarity.
Frequently asked questions
The HIRZEL plant is located at Fabrikrain 11 in the Hirzel district of Horgen, in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland.
The plant serves approximately 4,800 people in the Hirzel area and surrounding communities.
Treated effluent from HIRZEL is discharged into local streams that flow into Lake Zurich, a major alpine lake.
The plant operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act, which requires appropriate treatment levels to protect water bodies. For small agglomerations, secondary treatment with phosphorus removal is standard.
Swiss regulations typically require mechanical-biological treatment with nutrient removal for plants of this size, ensuring compliance with strict effluent limits to protect sensitive lakes and rivers.
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