Overview
Berre-l'Étang wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 18,908 people in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
The Berre-l'Étang wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Berre-l'Étang in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 18,908, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French 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 stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre), a large brackish lagoon connected to the Gulf of Fos. The lagoon is an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse aquatic life and serves as an important habitat for migratory birds.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre), a large coastal lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Caronte Canal and the Gulf of Fos. This lagoon is a vital ecosystem supporting fish, shellfish, and bird populations. The region's Mediterranean climate and industrial activity around the Étang de Berre require careful wastewater management to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Route du Grand Port, Berre-l'Étang, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 18,908 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre), a coastal lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and potentially tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent must provide secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas like the Berre Lagoon, additional nutrient removal may be required.
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