Speichermuehleli Wastewater Treatment Plant, Speicher, Switzerland

Speichermuehleli is a wastewater treatment plant located in Speicher, a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,050 people and operates with an advanced treatment level, ensuring high-quality effluent. Its designed capacity is 12,500 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 930.54 m³/day. As a Swiss plant, Speichermuehleli operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates strict standards for wastewater treatment. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant's small population served places it in a category where advanced treatment is often required to meet high environmental standards. The plant is located within 10 km of the coast, indicating proximity to a large lake or sea. Treated effluent likely discharges into a local watercourse that flows into Lake Constance (Bodensee) or the Rhine River system, ultimately reaching the North Sea. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important migratory corridor for birds.

Speichermuehleli discharges into a local stream that drains into the Sitter River, a tributary of the Thur River, which flows into the Rhine. The Rhine then empties into the North Sea. The watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as brown trout and grayling. The proximity to Lake Constance adds ecological significance, as the lake is a major drinking water reservoir and a biodiversity hotspot.