Etangs Aeres St Romuald Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lévis, Québec

Etangs Aeres St Romuald is an operational wastewater treatment plant located in the Saint-Romuald district of Lévis, Québec, Canada. The plant serves a population of approximately 16,428 residents, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for Canadian wastewater infrastructure. It is situated in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, near the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. As a Canadian facility, the plant operates under provincial environmental regulations administered by the Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) of Québec. For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required to protect receiving waters. The plant discharges treated effluent into the St. Lawrence River, one of North America's major waterways. The St. Lawrence River flows northeast through Québec and eventually drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. This river system supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as Atlantic sturgeon and American eel, and provides critical habitat for migratory birds. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores its role in protecting downstream estuarine and marine environments.

The plant's treated effluent enters the St. Lawrence River, which flows through the St. Lawrence Lowlands and discharges into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a large estuary connected to the Atlantic Ocean. The St. Lawrence River supports a rich ecosystem, including fish spawning grounds and migratory bird habitats. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means its discharge can influence the sensitive estuarine environment, where freshwater mixes with saltwater, affecting nutrient dynamics and aquatic life.