Overview
ALENCON SAINT PATERNE wastewater treatment plant serves Saint-Paterne - Le Chevain, France, with a population equivalent of 69,066. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring compliance with secondary treatment standards
The ALENCON SAINT PATERNE wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Paterne - Le Chevain, within the Pays de la Loire region of France. Serving a population equivalent of 69,066, it is classified as a medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the surrounding urban area. As a French facility, the plant is subject to national regulations transposing the EU UWWTD, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to meet these standards, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and nutrients before discharge. Compliance is monitored by the relevant French authorities. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Sarthe River, a tributary of the Loire River. The Loire River basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and recreation. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this important river system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sarthe River, which flows into the Maine River and then the Loire River, one of France's longest rivers. The Loire basin supports a rich diversity of fish species and migratory birds, making water quality management critical. The plant's treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and organic pollution, safeguarding the ecological health of the downstream riverine and estuarine environments.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Saint-Paterne - Le Chevain, in the Sarthe department of the Pays de la Loire region, France.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 69,066, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Sarthe River, a tributary of the Loire River.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into French law, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 population equivalent.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving over 10,000 PE in sensitive areas require tertiary treatment, while others need secondary treatment. For a medium agglomeration like this, secondary treatment is standard, with potential nutrient removal if the receiving water is sensitive.
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