Overview
Spiennes Saint Symphorien wastewater treatment plant in Mons, Hainaut, Belgium, serves a population of 2,511 with secondary treatment. It discharges 448.84 m³/day and has a design capacity of 4,000 m³/day.
Spiennes Saint Symphorien is a wastewater treatment plant located in Mons, within the Hainaut province of Wallonia, Belgium. It serves a population of approximately 2,511 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The plant is situated in the historic region of Spiennes, known for its Neolithic flint mines, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU UWWTD for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a design capacity of 4,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 448.84 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variability. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Haine River, a tributary of the Scheldt River. The Scheldt flows through Belgium and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the Haine-Scheldt basin from pollution, supporting aquatic life and downstream water quality in this densely populated and industrialized region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that feed the Haine River, part of the Scheldt basin. The Scheldt River flows through Belgium and the Netherlands to the North Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and serving as a vital migratory corridor for fish. The region's industrial and agricultural activities make effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in this transboundary river system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Chemin de Bethléem in Mons, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium, near the historic Spiennes area.
The plant serves a population of 2,511 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Haine River, a tributary of the Scheldt, which eventually reaches the North Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size.
As a Belgian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into Walloon regional law. The directive mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent discharging to freshwater.
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