Overview
Samnaun wastewater treatment plant serves Compatsch in Graubünden, Switzerland, with a population equivalent of 7,663. It operates under Swiss water protection regulations.
The Samnaun wastewater treatment plant is located in Compatsch, a locality within the municipality of Samnaun in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The plant serves a population equivalent of 7,663, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Swiss water protection legislation. Swiss wastewater treatment plants are regulated by the Federal Water Protection Act (GSchG) and the Water Protection Ordinance (GSchV), which mandate at least secondary treatment for all discharges into surface waters. For agglomerations of this size, advanced treatment (nitrogen and phosphorus removal) is typically required to protect sensitive alpine water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that feed the Inn River, which flows through the Engadin valley and ultimately into the Danube River basin. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life, including brown trout and other cold-water species, and are part of a region known for its pristine alpine environment.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters small alpine streams that drain into the Inn River, a major tributary of the Danube. The Inn flows through the Engadin valley, an ecologically sensitive region with high biodiversity. Downstream, the river supports fish populations and provides habitat for aquatic invertebrates, contributing to the overall health of the Danube basin.
Frequently asked questions
The Samnaun wastewater treatment plant is located in Compatsch, a locality in the municipality of Samnaun, in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 7,663, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under Swiss regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local alpine streams that flow into the Inn River, which eventually reaches the Danube River basin.
The plant operates under the Swiss Federal Water Protection Act (GSchG) and Water Protection Ordinance (GSchV), which require at least secondary treatment and often advanced nutrient removal for agglomerations of this size.
Swiss regulations typically require secondary treatment with nitrogen and phosphorus removal for agglomerations above 2,000 PE, especially in sensitive alpine areas like the Engadin region.
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