BESANCON PORT DOUVOT Wastewater Treatment Plant, Beure, France

BESANCON PORT DOUVOT is a significant wastewater treatment facility located in Beure, a commune in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France. Serving an estimated population of 122,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations, requiring advanced treatment to protect sensitive water bodies. As a plant of this scale in France, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. The facility likely employs biological treatment processes to meet stringent effluent standards, though specific process details are not publicly available. Its capacity and operational status are consistent with a major municipal plant. The treated effluent is discharged into the Doubs River, a tributary of the Saône, which flows into the Rhône and eventually the Mediterranean Sea. This river supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive, particularly downstream where it contributes to the Rhône basin's biodiversity. The plant plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality in this important watershed.

The plant discharges into the Doubs River, which flows into the Saône River, a major tributary of the Rhône. The Rhône ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as the European eel and various migratory birds. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.