Overview
Amelie les Bains wastewater treatment plant serves Palalda in Occitanie, France, with advanced treatment for a population of 4,327. It discharges treated water inland, supporting local water quality.
The Amelie les Bains wastewater treatment plant is located in Palalda, part of the commune Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, southern France. The facility serves a population of approximately 4,327 and operates with advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As a plant in France, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. With a designed capacity of 20,000 m³/day, the plant is sized to accommodate seasonal population fluctuations typical of this tourist region. The advanced treatment level likely includes nutrient removal to protect downstream water bodies. The treated wastewater is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Tech River basin. This inland discharge contributes to the ecological health of the regional watershed, supporting aquatic life and maintaining water quality for downstream communities and ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Tech River basin, which flows through the Pyrénées-Orientales and empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Argelès-sur-Mer. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic species and is important for regional biodiversity. The advanced treatment helps protect the river from nutrient pollution, which is critical given the area's agricultural and tourism pressures.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Palalda, part of the commune Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, southern France.
The plant serves a population of approximately 4,327 people, with a designed capacity of 20,000 m³/day to handle seasonal variations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into a local watercourse within the Tech River basin, which flows to the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which typically includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, in line with EU standards for sensitive areas.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 PE and advanced treatment in sensitive catchments.
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