Overview
Bayonne Saint Frederic wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 41,733 people in Bayonne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this
Bayonne Saint Frederic is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bayonne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The facility serves an estimated population of 41,733, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. Bayonne is situated near the confluence of the Adour and Nive rivers, close to the Atlantic coast. As a French plant serving over 15,000 population equivalent, Bayonne Saint Frederic is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for discharges to freshwater and estuaries, and more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar unit), indicating a facility sized for its service population. The treated effluent from Bayonne Saint Frederic ultimately discharges into the Adour River, which flows into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The Adour estuary supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means its discharge can influence coastal water quality, making compliance with EU standards critical for protecting marine ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Adour River, which flows approximately 335 km from the Pyrenees to the Bay of Biscay. The Adour estuary is an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish such as salmon and eels. Downstream, the Bay of Biscay is a productive marine environment influenced by nutrient inputs from rivers. Effective treatment at Bayonne Saint Frederic helps maintain water quality in this coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
Bayonne Saint Frederic is located in Bayonne, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. The plant is situated near the Adour River, close to the Atlantic coast.
The plant serves approximately 41,733 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Adour River, which flows into the Bay of Biscay. The plant's discharge point is within 50 km of the coast, so its effluent can affect coastal water quality.
As a French plant serving over 15,000 population equivalent, Bayonne Saint Frederic operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment and, if the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment.
For agglomerations of this size in France, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard. In sensitive areas like coastal zones, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect marine ecosystems.
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