Etangs Aerres Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ascot Corner, Quebec

Etangs Aerres is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ascot Corner, Quebec, Canada, serving a small population of 486 residents. The facility is situated in the Le Haut-Saint-François region and operates under the regulatory framework of the Quebec Ministry of the Environment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level for small communities in Canada. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant discharges an average of 218.00 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day, meeting provincial effluent standards. The treated effluent is released into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Saint-François River, a tributary of the St. Lawrence River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality. The plant's inland location reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall health of the Saint-François River basin.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Saint-François River, which then joins the St. Lawrence River near Lake Saint-Pierre. The Saint-François River watershed supports diverse fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The St. Lawrence River is a major ecological corridor in North America, and maintaining water quality in its tributaries is critical for the health of the entire ecosystem.