COUHE nouvelle STEP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Valence-en-Poitou, France

COUHE nouvelle STEP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Valence-en-Poitou, in the Vienne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,280 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,000 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily volume of about 407 cubic meters, indicating ample reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that eventually drain into the Loire River basin, one of France's major river systems. The Loire basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important resource for agriculture and drinking water. By providing advanced treatment, the plant helps maintain water quality in the region and protects downstream environments.

The plant discharges into small watercourses that feed into the Loire River basin. The Loire is the longest river in France, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The basin supports a variety of habitats, including wetlands and floodplains, which are home to numerous fish and bird species. Advanced treatment at the plant reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters.