Overview
Cassis wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal town of Cassis in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. It treats wastewater from approximately 11,445 people, discharging into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Cassis wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Cassis, within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France. It serves a population of approximately 11,445 residents, typical of a small Mediterranean agglomeration. The plant is situated near the Calanques National Park, an ecologically sensitive coastal area. 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 of this size discharging into coastal waters. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving area is designated as sensitive. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized for the local population. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, which is a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it vulnerable to nutrient pollution. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal waters and the nearby Calanques, a unique limestone cliff ecosystem that supports diverse marine life and is a popular tourist destination.
Environmental context
The Cassis plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, specifically into the Bay of Cassis, which is part of the Ligurian Sea. The coastal waters are influenced by the Mistral wind and have limited tidal exchange, making them sensitive to nutrient inputs. The area supports seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) and diverse marine fauna, and is part of the Calanques National Park, a protected area known for its steep limestone cliffs and rich biodiversity. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect this fragile ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The Cassis wastewater treatment plant is located at Chemin des Lombards in Cassis, within the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
The Cassis plant serves approximately 11,445 people, corresponding to the permanent population of the town of Cassis, which can increase significantly during tourist seasons.
The treated wastewater from the Cassis plant is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via an outfall pipe that releases effluent into the coastal waters of the Bay of Cassis.
As a French wastewater treatment plant, Cassis operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection, treatment, and discharge. For agglomerations of 10,000-150,000 population equivalent, secondary treatment is required, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For a plant serving approximately 11,000 people in France, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. If the receiving water body is designated as sensitive (e.g., coastal areas prone to eutrophication), additional nutrient removal may be required.
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