Cercy-la-Tour Ville Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cercy-la-Tour, France

Cercy-la-Tour Ville is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Cercy-la-Tour, a commune in the Nièvre department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. The plant serves a small population of 736 residents and is designed with a capacity of 2,500 m³/day, indicating it can accommodate seasonal or future growth. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters, aligning with France's implementation of the directive in sensitive areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Loire River basin. The Loire is France's longest river and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and drinking. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into the Loire River basin, which flows through central France before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire is known for its ecological diversity, including migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and supporting the health of the Loire's aquatic habitats.