BRASSAC LES MINES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Brassac-les-Mines, France

The BRASSAC LES MINES wastewater treatment plant is located in Brassac-les-Mines, a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. The plant serves a population of about 7,056 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under French and 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 discharging into freshwater. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but the regulatory framework ensures compliance with national standards for effluent quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Allier River, a major tributary of the Loire River. The Loire flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Allier and Loire river systems from nutrient pollution and organic load.

The plant discharges into the Allier River basin, a sub-basin of the Loire River. The Allier is known for its dynamic riverine habitats and supports a variety of fish species, including salmonids. Downstream, the Loire River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, providing critical migratory corridors for eels and other aquatic life. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive watershed.