Overview
Beaucaire wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 24,970 people in Occitanie, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Beaucaire wastewater treatment plant is located in Beaucaire, a commune in the Gard department of Occitanie, southern France. The facility serves a population of approximately 24,970, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. Its location near the Rhône River and the ViaRhôna cycling route highlights its role in the regional infrastructure. As a French wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates 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), indicating it is sized to handle the local population's wastewater load. The treated effluent from the Beaucaire plant is discharged into the Rhône River, one of Europe's major waterways. The Rhône flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea via the Camargue delta, a region of high ecological importance. The plant's operations help protect the water quality of the Rhône and its downstream ecosystems, including the Camargue wetlands, which support diverse birdlife and aquatic species.
Environmental context
The Beaucaire plant discharges into the Rhône River, which flows through southeastern France and empties into the Mediterranean Sea via the Camargue delta. The Rhône basin supports a variety of aquatic habitats and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The downstream Camargue region is ecologically sensitive, hosting numerous bird species and unique wetland ecosystems. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality and prevent nutrient pollution in this dynamic river system.
Frequently asked questions
The Beaucaire wastewater treatment plant is located in Beaucaire, in the Gard department of Occitanie, southern France. Its address is ViaRhôna, Zi Domitia Sud, Beaucaire.
The plant serves approximately 24,970 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated effluent from the Beaucaire plant is discharged into the Rhône River, which flows south to the Mediterranean Sea via the Camargue delta.
As a French facility, the Beaucaire plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of its size and may require tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the EU directive mandates secondary treatment. In France, this typically involves biological treatment processes such as activated sludge or biofiltration.
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