Improved Capabilities at Mörfelden-Walldorf's Wastewater Treatment Facility Compared to Others
In the heart of the Hessian Ried, a central drinking water reservoir for the Rhine-Main area, lies the town of Mörfelden-Walldorf. This town, along with a handful of others in Hesse, stands out for a significant reason - it operates one of the few sewage treatment plants with a fourth stage.
This advanced stage of purification is a rarity across Hesse, with only about 0.1 to 0.2% of the 700 municipal sewage treatment plants nationwide currently employing it. Mörfelden-Walldorf shares this distinction with Bickenbach and, more recently, Groß-Gerau in the Rhein-Main region.
The fourth stage of purification is praised by experts in the energy and water industry for its positive impact on water quality. However, they caution against a shift in focus away from sustainable production and consumption, fearing that the emphasis might inadvertently fall on sewage treatment plants as the sole solution to pollutant inputs.
The concern is that industry and society could begin to view these advanced treatment plants as a panacea, absolving themselves of the responsibility for reducing pollutant inputs at their source.
The municipality of Mörfelden-Walldorf has invested more than ten million euros to meet the high requirements for protecting groundwater and drinking water. This investment has enabled the town to reduce the discharge of trace substances such as pharmaceutical residues, cosmetics, and pesticides, thereby safeguarding the spring waters in the Hessian marsh areas.
Groß-Gerau, too, has installed a fourth purification stage in its wastewater treatment process, aiming to protect the same spring waters in the Hessian marsh areas. This move is in line with the European Union's Water Framework Directive, which requires a "good status" of waters by at least 2027, and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which sets the basis for cleaning requirements.
A revision of the directive is foreseen, with stricter limit values for nitrogen and phosphorus, and the obligation for a fourth cleaning stage - initially for large plants, later also for smaller ones in sensitive areas. This revision underscores the importance of advanced sewage treatment in protecting our valuable water resources.
As we move forward, it is crucial to remember that while advanced sewage treatment is a vital tool in maintaining clean water, it should not overshadow the need for sustainable production and consumption practices. By working together, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all.
