AIGUEPERSE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Aigueperse, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

The AIGUEPERSE wastewater treatment plant is located in Aigueperse, a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. It serves a population of approximately 3,200 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU directive for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 7,200 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 570.87 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variations. The plant is subject to French national regulations that implement the EU directive, ensuring compliance with discharge standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Loire River basin, one of France's major river systems. The Loire flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the water quality of downstream environments, including sensitive areas that may support migratory fish and other wildlife.

The AIGUEPERSE plant discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the larger Loire River basin. The Loire River flows through central France before reaching the Atlantic Ocean, supporting a variety of habitats including wetlands and floodplains. The region is ecologically sensitive, with the Loire being known for its biodiversity, including species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Advanced treatment at the plant helps reduce nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.