BOURGNEUF EN RETZ Le Salineau Wastewater Treatment Plant, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, France

The BOURGNEUF EN RETZ Le Salineau wastewater treatment plant is located in Les Moutiers-en-Retz, within the Pays de la Loire region of France. It serves a population of approximately 17,600 people, 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 of this size. For sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated to reduce nutrient loads. The plant's compliance with these standards ensures that treated effluent meets environmental quality objectives before discharge. The plant is situated within 50 km of the Atlantic coast, and its treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that drain into the Bay of Biscay. This coastal proximity underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect marine ecosystems from nutrient pollution and other contaminants. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding the region's water quality and supporting downstream aquatic life.

The plant is located in the Loire-Atlantique department, within the drainage basin of the Loire River, which ultimately flows into the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast. The receiving water body is likely a small coastal stream or estuary that supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a habitat for migratory fish species. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and maintain the ecological health of this sensitive coastal environment.