OBERRIED BI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oberried am Brienzersee, Switzerland

OBERRIED BI is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Oberried am Brienzersee, within the Bern/Berne canton of Switzerland. The facility serves a small population of 482 residents, reflecting its role in a rural alpine community on the shores of Lake Brienz. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of pollutant removal before discharge. With a designed capacity of 1650 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 218.79 cubic meters, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating robust infrastructure for current demand. As a Swiss facility, it operates under national water protection regulations that align with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards, requiring advanced treatment for sensitive areas. The treated effluent from OBERRIED BI ultimately flows into Lake Brienz, a pristine alpine lake that drains into the Aare River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The lake supports diverse aquatic life and is a key resource for tourism and drinking water. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect this sensitive ecosystem from nutrient pollution.

OBERRIED BI discharges into the local watershed that feeds Lake Brienz, a deep alpine lake known for its clear waters and ecological sensitivity. The lake's outflow becomes the Aare River, which flows through the Swiss Plateau and eventually joins the Rhine River, draining into the North Sea. The plant's advanced treatment is crucial for maintaining water quality in this ecologically important lake, which supports fish populations and provides drinking water for downstream communities.