Overview
Aix les Bains wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 69,000 people in La Balme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale
The Aix les Bains wastewater treatment plant is located in La Balme, a commune in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. It serves an estimated population of 69,353, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the eastern shore of Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France, and plays a key role in protecting this sensitive water body. As a French facility serving over 10,000 population equivalents, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary biological treatment as a minimum, and for discharges into sensitive areas like Lac du Bourget, tertiary treatment (nutrient removal) is typically mandated. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available in this dataset, but the regulatory framework ensures compliance with stringent effluent standards to safeguard the lake's ecosystem. The treated wastewater is discharged into Lac du Bourget, which drains via the Canal de Savières into the Rhône River, eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea. Lac du Bourget is a mesotrophic lake that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as Arctic char and whitefish. The plant's operation is critical to preventing eutrophication and maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive alpine lake.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Lac du Bourget, a large alpine lake in the Rhône-Alpes region. The lake drains via the Canal de Savières into the Rhône River, which flows to the Mediterranean Sea. Lac du Bourget is a mesotrophic water body that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as Arctic char and whitefish. The plant's effluent must meet strict nutrient removal standards to prevent algal blooms and protect the lake's ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in La Balme, a commune in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. It serves the Aix les Bains area and is situated near the eastern shore of Lac du Bourget.
The plant serves approximately 69,353 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Treated wastewater is discharged into Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. The lake drains via the Canal de Savières into the Rhône River, which flows to the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French facility serving over 10,000 population equivalents, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, and for sensitive areas like Lac du Bourget, tertiary treatment with nutrient removal is typically required.
For agglomerations of this size in France, the EU UWWTD requires secondary biological treatment. Additionally, if the receiving water body is sensitive (like Lac du Bourget), tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal is standard to prevent eutrophication.
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