AUPS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Aups | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

The AUPS wastewater treatment plant is located in Aups, a commune in the Var department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,116 residents and is designed with a capacity of 5,500 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 734.29 cubic meters per day. As an advanced treatment facility, AUPS goes beyond the secondary treatment requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size (under 10,000 population equivalent), the directive mandates appropriate treatment, and France's national regulations often require advanced treatment in sensitive areas to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Argens River system. The region is known for its karst geology and sensitive aquatic ecosystems, making advanced treatment important for protecting downstream water bodies and biodiversity.

The AUPS plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Argens River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Fréjus. The region's karst topography and Mediterranean climate create sensitive aquatic habitats that support diverse species. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and protects the ecological balance of the downstream river and coastal marine environment.