Overview
CULOZ Chef lieu is a wastewater treatment plant in Culoz-Béon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It serves approximately 7,800 people and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
CULOZ Chef lieu is a wastewater treatment plant located in the commune of Culoz-Béon, in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. The plant serves a population of around 7,800 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under EU classification. Its address along D 992 near the Rhône River corridor positions it within a region known for its Alpine foothills and agricultural landscapes. As a French treatment facility serving fewer than 10,000 people, CULOZ Chef lieu is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but the regulatory framework ensures that facilities of this scale meet national standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal. French water agencies (Agences de l'eau) oversee compliance and may require additional nutrient removal if the receiving environment is sensitive. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into a local tributary of the Rhône River, one of Europe's major waterways that flows south to the Mediterranean Sea. The Rhône basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant's operation contributes to protecting downstream water quality in the Rhône and its delta, including the Camargue region, a vast wetland of international importance.
Environmental context
The plant is situated in the Rhône River basin, with treated effluent likely entering a small tributary that flows into the Rhône. The Rhône originates in the Swiss Alps and flows through southeastern France to the Mediterranean Sea, supporting a rich diversity of fish and bird species. Downstream, the Rhône delta includes the Camargue, an ecologically sensitive area of lagoons and marshes that provides critical habitat for migratory birds and aquatic life. The plant's discharge must meet standards to protect these downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
CULOZ Chef lieu is located along D 992 in the Palière area of Culoz, part of the commune Culoz-Béon, in the Ain department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
The plant serves approximately 7,824 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under EU definitions.
The treated effluent is likely discharged into a local tributary of the Rhône River, which flows south to the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for freshwater discharges. Compliance is overseen by French water agencies.
For agglomerations of this size, French regulations typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment) to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be required.
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