ALBENS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Entrelacs, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

The ALBENS wastewater treatment plant is located in Entrelacs, within the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It serves a population of approximately 2,457 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 438.32 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Rhône River basin, one of Europe's major river systems. The Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea, making the plant's performance important for downstream water quality. The plant's operation supports the ecological health of the region's rivers and contributes to the protection of the Mediterranean coastal environment.

The ALBENS plant discharges into a local stream that feeds into the Rhône River basin. The Rhône flows through southeastern France and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as trout and grayling, and is an important corridor for migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication and contamination.