AIGREFEUILLE D AUNIS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Salles-sur-Mer, France

The AIGREFEUILLE D AUNIS wastewater treatment plant is located in Salles-sur-Mer, near La Rochelle in the Charente-Maritime department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It serves a population of around 8,882, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under French and European standards. As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and European water quality standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Bay of Biscay via the Atlantic coast. The surrounding region includes the Pertuis d'Antioche strait and the Île de Ré, supporting diverse marine and coastal ecosystems. Proper treatment helps protect these sensitive environments from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The plant's treated effluent flows into the local river system, which drains into the Pertuis d'Antioche and then the Bay of Biscay, part of the North Atlantic Ocean. This coastal area supports diverse marine life, including fish nurseries and migratory bird habitats. The proximity to the coast (within 50 km) underscores the importance of effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication in the sensitive Atlantic coastal waters.