Overview
COUIZA MONTAZEL is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Couiza, Occitanie, France, serving 1,356 people with a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day and a discharge volume of 241.91 m³/day.
COUIZA MONTAZEL is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Couiza, a commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France. The facility serves a population of 1,356 and has a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 241.91 m³/day. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for facilities discharging into sensitive areas. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), France designates certain water bodies as sensitive, requiring advanced treatment for agglomerations above 10,000 population equivalent, though smaller plants may also adopt advanced processes to protect local water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Aude River and then the Mediterranean Sea. The Aude River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Aude River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Narbonne. The Aude River supports a variety of fish species and is part of a regional network of water bodies that sustain biodiversity. The advanced treatment process reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in the coastal marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
COUIZA MONTAZEL is located in Couiza, a commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France, along the D118 road.
The plant serves a population of 1,356 people.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Aude River and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, helping to protect sensitive water bodies.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into French law. For its size, secondary treatment is required, but advanced treatment may be mandated if the receiving water is designated as sensitive.
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