Overview
WAEDENSWIL wastewater treatment plant serves Wädenswil, Switzerland, on Lake Zurich. It treats wastewater from approximately 37,000 people under Swiss water protection regulations.
WAEDENSWIL is a wastewater treatment plant located in Wädenswil, in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The facility serves a population of around 37,371, placing it in the medium agglomeration category. It is situated on the shores of Lake Zurich, a major water body in the region. As a Swiss plant, WAEDENSWIL operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive water bodies like Lake Zurich. The plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment, with phosphorus removal to protect the lake from eutrophication. The population served indicates a facility of substantial scale. The treated effluent is discharged into Lake Zurich, which drains via the Limmat River into the Aare River and ultimately into the Rhine River, reaching the North Sea. Lake Zurich is a critical drinking water reservoir and recreational area, making stringent treatment essential to maintain water quality and protect aquatic life.
Environmental context
WAEDENSWIL discharges into Lake Zurich, a deep perialpine lake that serves as a drinking water source for millions. The lake flows into the Limmat River, then the Aare, and finally the Rhine, which empties into the North Sea. The plant's proximity to the lake (within 10 km) requires advanced treatment to prevent nutrient loading and algal blooms, supporting the lake's oligotrophic status and diverse fish populations.
Frequently asked questions
WAEDENSWIL is located in Wädenswil, in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland, along the shores of Lake Zurich.
The plant serves approximately 37,371 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Swiss water protection regulations.
Treated wastewater from WAEDENSWIL is discharged into Lake Zurich, which flows into the Limmat River, then the Aare and Rhine rivers, eventually reaching the North Sea.
WAEDENSWIL operates under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which requires advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive water bodies like Lake Zurich, including phosphorus removal.
For a plant of this scale in Switzerland, typical treatment includes mechanical and biological processes with nutrient removal, especially phosphorus, to protect receiving waters like Lake Zurich from eutrophication.
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