ANGOULEME FREGENEUIL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Yrieix-sur-Charente, France

ANGOULEME FREGENEUIL is a wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Yrieix-sur-Charente, near Angoulême, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 64,200 people, classifying it as a medium to large agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated along the Charente River, which flows through the historic city of Angoulême. As a plant serving over 50,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For discharges into sensitive areas, such as rivers that may be eutrophic, tertiary treatment (nutrient removal) is typically mandated. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards for wastewater treatment. The treated effluent is discharged into the Charente River, which flows westward through the Cognac region and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean near Rochefort. The Charente River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting the river's water quality and the downstream estuarine environment.

The plant discharges into the Charente River, which flows through the Cognac region and into the Atlantic Ocean. The river supports a variety of fish species and is an important habitat for migratory birds. The downstream estuary is ecologically sensitive, and the plant's treatment standards help prevent nutrient pollution that could lead to eutrophication in the coastal zone.