CAULLERY Wastewater Treatment Plant, Walincourt-Selvigny, Hauts-de-France

The CAULLERY wastewater treatment plant is located in Walincourt-Selvigny, a commune in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France, France. It serves a population of about 9,236 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent discharges into local watercourses that eventually flow into the Scheldt river basin. As a French wastewater facility, CAULLERY operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate treatment to protect the receiving environment, particularly in sensitive areas. The plant is expected to meet these regulatory standards to ensure compliance with French water quality laws. The plant's discharge contributes to the local hydrology, flowing into streams that feed the Escaut (Scheldt) river. This river system is ecologically important, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and industry. Proper treatment at CAULLERY helps maintain water quality in the downstream environment, reducing nutrient and pollutant loads that could affect the Scheldt estuary and the North Sea.

The CAULLERY plant discharges into local watercourses that are part of the Scheldt river basin. The Scheldt flows through France and Belgium before reaching the North Sea near Antwerp. This watershed supports a variety of freshwater species and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The plant's treatment performance is crucial to prevent eutrophication and maintain ecological balance in the river system, especially given the agricultural and industrial activities in the region.