Overview
Stäfa-Uerikon wastewater treatment plant serves 4,453 people in Stäfa, Zürich, Switzerland. Located within 10 km of Lake Zurich, it discharges treated effluent into the lake.
The Stäfa-Uerikon wastewater treatment plant (ARA Stäfa-Uerikon) serves the municipality of Stäfa in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. With a population equivalent of 4,453, it is classified as a small agglomeration under Swiss water protection regulations. The plant is situated on the northern shore of Lake Zurich, near the village of Ürikon. Under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), treatment plants of this scale are required to meet stringent effluent standards, including phosphorus removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 m³/s, indicating it is sized to handle peak flows from the local community. Swiss plants typically employ mechanical-biological treatment with nutrient removal. The treated wastewater is discharged into Lake Zurich, a large pre-alpine lake that drains via the Limmat River into the Aare and ultimately the Rhine. Lake Zurich serves as a drinking water reservoir and recreational area, making nutrient control critical to prevent eutrophication. The plant's proximity to the lake (within 10 km) underscores its role in protecting this ecologically sensitive water body.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Lake Zurich, a deep, oligotrophic lake that is a key water source for the region. The lake drains via the Limmat River to the Aare and then the Rhine, eventually reaching the North Sea. Nutrient inputs from wastewater must be carefully managed to maintain water quality and prevent algal blooms, which could impact drinking water supplies and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Untere Stationsstrasse in Ürikon, Stäfa, in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. It serves the municipality of Stäfa on the northern shore of Lake Zurich.
The plant serves a population of 4,453 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Swiss water protection regulations.
Treated wastewater is discharged into Lake Zurich, a large pre-alpine lake that flows into the Limmat River, then the Aare and Rhine rivers, ultimately reaching the North Sea.
The plant operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates secondary treatment with phosphorus removal for plants discharging into sensitive lakes like Lake Zurich.
For small agglomerations in Switzerland, typical treatment includes mechanical-biological processes with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet strict effluent standards for lake protection.
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