CHARTRES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chartres, France

The CHARTRES wastewater treatment plant is located in Les Grands Prés, Chartres, in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. It serves a population of approximately 80,600, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed. As a French facility serving over 10,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, secondary treatment is standard, with tertiary treatment required if the receiving water body is designated as sensitive. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The plant's receiving water body is part of the Eure River basin, which flows into the Seine River and ultimately the English Channel. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Eure and Seine rivers from nutrient pollution and maintaining ecological balance in the downstream environment.

The CHARTRES plant discharges into the Eure River, a tributary of the Seine River, which flows into the English Channel. The Eure River basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish populations and riparian habitats. The plant's effluent contributes to the nutrient load in the Seine estuary, an ecologically sensitive area that requires careful management to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality for downstream communities and wildlife.