RICHTERSWIL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Richterswil, Zürich, Switzerland

The RICHTERSWIL wastewater treatment plant is located in Richterswil, a municipality in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The plant serves a population of about 10,449 residents, placing it in the small to medium agglomeration category under Swiss and EU regulatory frameworks. As a Swiss plant, it operates under national regulations that align with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's proximity to Lake Zurich, a sensitive water body, likely necessitates advanced treatment to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which drains into Lake Zurich, a major Swiss lake that ultimately flows into the Rhine River via the Limmat. Protecting Lake Zurich is critical for drinking water supply, recreation, and aquatic ecosystems.

The plant is situated near Lake Zurich, a large pre-alpine lake that serves as a drinking water reservoir and supports diverse aquatic life. Treated effluent enters the lake, which drains via the Limmat River into the Rhine, eventually reaching the North Sea. The lake's sensitivity to nutrient pollution makes effective treatment essential for preventing eutrophication and maintaining water quality.