Overview
VIRELLES wastewater treatment plant in Virelles, Hainaut, Belgium, serves 2,246 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 401.47 m³/day and has a design capacity of 4,500 m³/day.
The VIRELLES wastewater treatment plant is located in Virelles, a village in the municipality of Chimay, within the province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium. It serves a population of 2,246, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a design capacity of 4,500 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 401.47 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Meuse River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the sensitive aquatic ecosystems of the region, including the nearby Virelles Lake, a designated nature reserve that supports diverse birdlife and aquatic species.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that feed the Viroin River, a tributary of the Meuse. The Meuse flows through Belgium and the Netherlands into the North Sea. The downstream environment includes the Virelles Lake, an ecologically sensitive area that supports migratory birds and diverse aquatic life. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting the lake from eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
The VIRELLES plant is located at 10 Rue de la Scierie, Queue du Lac, Virelles, Chimay, in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium.
The plant serves a population of 2,246 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that flow into the Viroin River, a tributary of the Meuse, which ultimately 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.
The plant has a design capacity of 4,500 m³ per day, with an average discharge volume of 401.47 m³ per day, indicating significant spare capacity.
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