Chaumes-en-Brie Wastewater Treatment Plant, Seine-et-Marne, France

The Chaumes-en-Brie wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Chaumes-en-Brie, within the Seine-et-Marne department of the Île-de-France region. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,770 residents, making it a small-scale municipal plant typical of rural French communities. The plant is situated along D 402, near Melun, and plays a key role in managing local wastewater. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,300 cubic meters per day, with an average daily discharge volume of about 316 cubic meters, indicating it operates well below its maximum capacity. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), small agglomerations like this are required to achieve secondary treatment standards, which this plant meets. The treated effluent is released into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Seine River basin. The Seine River flows through Paris and into the English Channel, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and recreation. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into the Seine River basin, which flows through the Île-de-France region and eventually reaches the English Channel. The Seine supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for eels and salmon. Downstream, the estuary provides critical habitat for birds and marine life. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is essential for preventing eutrophication in the river and coastal waters.