Urban waste water treatment per province and river basin district

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Urban waste water treatment per province and river basin district
Regions Periods Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Total capacity pollution equivalents (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Mechanical treatment (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Trickling filters (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Aeration tanks (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Oxidation tanks (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Oxidation ditches (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Carrousels (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Discontinuous systems (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Parallel installations (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Multi-stage installations (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Compact installations (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Membrane bioreactor (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Nereda granular sludge reactor (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity pollution equivalents by type Hybrid Nereda - active sludge system (1 000 pollution equivalent) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Total capacity inhabitant equivalents (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Mechanical treatment (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Trickling filters (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Aeration tanks (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Oxidation tanks (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Oxidation ditches (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Carrousels (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Discontinuous systems (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Parallel installations (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Multi-stage installations (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Compact installations (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Membrane bioreactor (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Nereda granular sludge reactor (1 000 inhabitant equivalents) Urban waste water treatment plants Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type Hybrid Nereda - active sludge system (1 000 inhabitant equivalents)
Nederland 2022 29,995 0 54 10,411 4,362 1,182 10,005 91 1,092 1,502 91 0 843 363 23,661 0 60 8,445 3,260 945 7,757 72 794 1,320 60 0 692 255
Noord-Nederland (LD) 2022 3,369 0 54 651 375 81 1,318 40 322 97 91 0 0 340 2,531 0 60 501 288 59 970 32 250 74 60 0 0 237
Oost-Nederland (LD) 2022 6,812 0 0 1,922 1,684 389 2,333 0 185 115 0 0 162 23 5,170 0 0 1,508 1,218 306 1,761 0 134 95 0 0 130 18
West-Nederland (LD) 2022 13,382 0 0 4,582 1,860 98 4,811 51 585 927 0 0 468 0 10,374 0 0 3,572 1,421 77 3,690 40 410 779 0 0 386 0
Zuid-Nederland (LD) 2022 6,432 0 0 3,255 443 615 1,543 0 0 363 0 0 212 0 5,586 0 0 2,865 334 503 1,336 0 0 372 0 0 176 0
Groningen (PV) 2022 1,017 0 0 180 110 13 260 40 17 56 0 0 0 340 741 0 0 130 80 11 195 32 15 41 0 0 0 237
Fryslân (PV) 2022 1,336 0 54 0 170 16 828 0 136 41 91 0 0 0 1,006 0 60 0 120 10 604 0 119 33 60 0 0 0
Drenthe (PV) 2022 1,016 0 0 471 95 51 230 0 169 0 0 0 0 0 784 0 0 371 87 38 172 0 116 0 0 0 0 0
Overijssel (PV) 2022 2,196 0 0 899 632 290 218 0 21 90 0 0 22 23 1,740 0 0 703 508 223 182 0 14 75 0 0 17 18
Flevoland (PV) 2022 765 0 0 0 65 0 700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 612 0 0 0 52 0 560 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gelderland (PV) 2022 3,851 0 0 1,023 986 98 1,415 0 164 25 0 0 140 0 2,818 0 0 805 658 83 1,020 0 120 20 0 0 113 0
Utrecht (PV) 2022 2,110 0 0 185 108 0 1,365 0 0 19 0 0 432 0 1,680 0 0 145 79 0 1,082 0 0 14 0 0 360 0
Noord-Holland (PV) 2022 4,565 0 0 1,930 1,038 82 785 51 433 246 0 0 0 0 3,727 0 0 1,737 781 63 587 40 305 213 0 0 0 0
Zuid-Holland (PV) 2022 5,908 0 0 1,833 714 16 2,618 0 65 662 0 0 0 0 4,405 0 0 1,242 561 13 1,989 0 46 552 0 0 0 0
Zeeland (PV) 2022 799 0 0 634 0 0 43 0 86 0 0 0 36 0 563 0 0 447 0 0 31 0 59 0 0 0 26 0
Noord-Brabant (PV) 2022 4,386 0 0 2,772 16 615 620 0 0 363 0 0 0 0 3,933 0 0 2,501 11 503 547 0 0 372 0 0 0 0
Limburg (PV) 2022 2,046 0 0 484 427 0 922 0 0 0 0 0 212 0 1,653 0 0 365 323 0 790 0 0 0 0 0 176 0
The river Eems 2022 1,134 0 0 366 102 0 270 0 0 56 0 0 0 340 819 0 0 267 73 0 201 0 0 41 0 0 0 237
The river Rijn (North Rijn) 2022 1,521 0 54 0 178 45 918 40 153 41 91 0 0 0 1,157 0 60 0 127 33 678 32 134 33 60 0 0 0
The river Rijn (East Rijn) 2022 6,863 0 0 1,515 1,742 385 2,825 0 190 90 0 0 92 23 5,178 0 0 1,174 1,284 299 2,137 0 130 75 0 0 61 18
The river Rijn (Central Rijn) 2022
The river Rijn (West Rijn) 2022 13,096 0 0 4,641 1,896 130 4,262 51 662 952 0 0 502 0 10,240 0 0 3,692 1,442 104 3,263 40 472 799 0 0 429 0
The river Maas 2022 6,079 0 0 2,784 427 606 1,686 0 0 363 0 0 212 0 5,242 0 0 2,428 323 496 1,448 0 0 372 0 0 176 0
The river Schelde 2022 1,302 0 0 1,105 16 16 43 0 86 0 0 0 36 0 1,024 0 0 884 11 13 31 0 59 0 0 0 26 0
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Dataset is not available.


This table presents the most significant results of the annual survey Public treatment of urban waste water. The results are presented per province and river basin district (Rijn, Maas, Eems and Schelde) and include:
- number and capacity of the urban waste water treatment plants by type of treatment;
- the volume and concentration of organic matter, nutrients and heavy metals in the waste water running into waste water treatment plants (influent) and the volume of treated waste water (effluent). As of 2017, data on heavy metals are only inventoried for even years.
- the volume and destination of the sludge released, with nutrients and heavy metals. As of 2017, sludge data are only inventoried for even years.
Additional data on urban waste water treatment plants, process technology, energy consumption, generation of energy and sludge dewatering can be accessed on the Dutch version of StatLine.

Data available from: 1981

Status of the figures:
The figures in this table are definitive.

Changes as of 22 April 2024:
The figures of 2022 has been added.

When will new figures be published?
New figures on 2023 will be published by March 2025.

Description topics

Urban waste water treatment plants
The number and capacity of urban waste water treatment plants in the Netherlands where nearly all domestic waste water and waste water from the private sector is treated. The plants are all operated by regional water quality control authorities.
Capacity pollution equivalents by type
Capacity urban waste water treatment plant:
A value that indicates how much organic pollution theoretically can be treated by a waste water treatment plant.

The pollution equivalent is the official unit that quantifies the pollution in waste water; one pollution equivalent = 150 g TOD (Total Oxygen Demand).
One pollution equivalent is the daily quantity of oxygen-demanding material in the waste water of one person. The degree of pollution in the waste water produced by the private sector is also expressed in pollution equivalents.
This unit is used as of 2010, so for previous years no values are available.
Total capacity pollution equivalents
Mechanical treatment
Installation where suspended matter is extracted from waste water by settlement.
Trickling filters
Waste water is sprinkled over a layer of porous stones covered with bacteria (biofilm). Thus, organic compounds in the waste water are degraded.
Aeration tanks
Pre-settled waste water runs through an intensively aerated basin containing active sludge (bacteria). Organic pollutants are degraded by oxygen and active sludge. The treatment process takes up only a short period of time and the sludge load is high which is typical of aeration basins.
Oxidation tanks
Operates by the same principle as the aeration tank but the sludge load is significantly lower. The resulting sludge is highly mineralised and will therefore decompose more slowly.
Oxidation ditches
In oxidation ditches, waste water is directed through a aeration circuit several times. The process takes up 2 or 3 days. Consequently, the sludge load is extremely low.
Carrousels
This technology is chiefly applied in large installations. Typical of carrousels are the depth (between 2 to 4 metres) and the aeration method.
Discontinuous systems
Oxidation basins and oxidation ditches. Waste water is let in batch-controlled.
Parallel installations
Various combinations of treatment systems (so-called 'streets') are applied in one installation.
Multi-stage installations
A serial process consisting of two systems, for instance, a trickling filter and an aeration basin. The waste water runs through both stages.
Compact installations
A system consisting of a basin subdivided into four segments. Waste water flows into the aeration segment. Subsequently, the sludge is separated in the central aeration zone. Then part of the sludge is conditioned in the reaeration zone and led back into the aeration zone. The other part (surplus sludge) is stabilised in the sludge mineralisation zone and subsequently removed.
Membrane bioreactor
A system where the sludge is separated from the waste water by using a membrane.
Nereda granular sludge reactor
In the Nereda granular sludge reactor the wastewater is purified by micro-organism clogged in natural granular structures of high density. These granules have a high biological activity and make it easy to separate the micro-organisms from the treated wastewater.

As from 2019 this new treatment type is distinghuished separately in Statline. In the period 2011-2018 already 4 Nereda systems became operational. Until 2019, these installations were classified as oxidation tanks and/or discontinous systems.
Hybrid Nereda - active sludge system
System consisting of a parallel operated Nereda granular sludge reactor and activated sludge system.

In the Nereda granular sludge reactor the wastewater is purified by micro-organism clogged in natural granular structures of high density. These granules have a high biological activity and make it easy to separate the sludge from the treated wastewater.

In activated sludge systems the wastewater is treated in bassins with flocculated sludge . This sludge clumps exists of microorganisms that feed on the the organic pollution in wastewater.

As from 2019 this new treatment type is distinghuished separately in Statline. In the period 2013-2018 already 2 hybrid Nereda - activated sludge sytems became operational. Until 2019, these installations were classified as parallel installations.
Capacity inhabitant equivalents by type
Capacity urban waste water treatment plant:
A value that indicates how much organic pollution theoretically can be treated by a waste water treatment plant.

The capacity expressed in Inhabitant Equivalents is determined on basis of: one inhabitant equivalent = 54 g BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand).
One inhabitant equivalent is the daily quantity of oxygen-demanding, organic substances in the waste water of one person.
Nowadays, the use of the unit inhabitant equivalent is decreasing. The most common unit is the pollution equivalent.
Total capacity inhabitant equivalents
The total capacity of all urban waste water treatment plants.
Mechanical treatment
Installation where suspended matter is extracted from waste water by settlement.
Trickling filters
Waste water is sprinkled over a layer of porous stones covered with bacteria (biofilm). Thus, organic compounds in the waste water are degraded.
Aeration tanks
Pre-settled waste water runs through an intensively aerated basin containing active sludge (bacteria). Organic pollutants are degraded by oxygen and active sludge. The treatment process takes up only a short period of time and the sludge load is high which is typical of aeration basins.
Oxidation tanks
Operates by the same principle as the aeration tank but the sludge load is significantly lower. The resulting sludge is highly mineralised and will therefore decompose more slowly.
Oxidation ditches
In oxidation ditches, waste water is directed through a aeration circuit several times. The process takes up 2 or 3 days. Consequently, the sludge load is extremely low.
Carrousels
This technology is chiefly applied in large installations. Typical of carrousels are the depth (between 2 to 4 metres) and the aeration method.
Discontinuous systems
Oxidation basins and oxidation ditches. Waste water is let in batch-controlled.
Parallel installations
Various combinations of treatment systems (so-called 'streets') are applied in one installation.
Multi-stage installations
A serial process consisting of two systems, for instance, a trickling filter and an aeration basin. The waste water runs through both stages.
Compact installations
A system consisting of a basin subdivided into four segments. Waste water flows into the aeration segment. Subsequently, the sludge is separated in the central aeration zone. Then part of the sludge is conditioned in the reaeration zone and led back into the aeration zone. The other part (surplus sludge) is stabilised in the sludge mineralisation zone and subsequently removed.
Membrane bioreactor
A system where the sludge is separated from the waste water by using a membrane.
Nereda granular sludge reactor
In the Nereda granular sludge reactor the wastewater is purified by micro-organism clogged in natural granular structures of high density. These granules have a high biological activity and make it easy to separate the micro-organisms from the treated wastewater.

As from 2019 this new treatment type is distinghuished separately in Statline. In the period 2011-2018 already 4 Nereda systems became operational. Until 2019, these installations were classified as oxidation tanks and/or discontinous systems.
Hybrid Nereda - active sludge system
System consisting of a parallel operated Nereda granular sludge reactor and activated sludge system.

In the Nereda granular sludge reactor the wastewater is purified by micro-organism clogged in natural granular structures of high density. These granules have a high biological activity and make it easy to separate the sludge from the treated wastewater.

In activated sludge systems the wastewater is treated in bassins with flocculated sludge . This sludge clumps exists of microorganisms that feed on the the organic pollution in wastewater.

As from 2019 this new treatment type is distinghuished separately in Statline. In the period 2013-2018 already 2 hybrid Nereda - activated sludge sytems became operational. Until 2019, these installations were classified as parallel installations.