Commequiers Route de Coex Wastewater Treatment Plant - Pays de la Loire, France

Commequiers Route de Coex is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Commequiers, Vendée, within the Pays de la Loire region of western France. The facility serves a population of approximately 4,417 and is situated near the Atlantic coast, less than 10 kilometers inland. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic pollutants before discharge. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size (2,000-10,000 population equivalent). The designed capacity is 3,500 cubic meters per day, with an average daily discharge volume of about 788 cubic meters. The facility is part of France's national wastewater infrastructure, regulated by local water agencies under the French Public Health Code. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains toward the Atlantic Ocean via the Vie River and nearby coastal wetlands. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory birds. The plant's coastal proximity means its discharge must meet stringent standards to protect marine and estuarine ecosystems, in line with the EU Water Framework Directive.

The plant discharges into the Vie River basin, which flows into the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and estuaries that support diverse aquatic species and serve as important migratory corridors for birds. The proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means the treated effluent enters a sensitive marine ecosystem, requiring careful management to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect water quality.