Overview
Espelette wastewater treatment plant in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, serves about 2,983 people with advanced treatment. It discharges 532.16 m³/day and is located within 10 km of the coast.
The Espelette wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Espelette in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. It serves a population of approximately 2,983 residents and operates with advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As a plant in France, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 6,000 m³/day and currently treats 532.16 m³/day, indicating ample capacity for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Bay of Biscay via the Nive River and the Adour estuary. This coastal discharge location necessitates advanced treatment to protect the sensitive marine environment and comply with French regulations for coastal zones.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Nive River basin, which flows into the Adour River and then into the Bay of Biscay. The coastal location means the effluent enters a sensitive marine ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional fisheries. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect water quality in the downstream estuary and coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Espelette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France.
The plant serves approximately 2,983 residents of Espelette and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Nive River and then the Adour estuary before reaching the Bay of Biscay.
As a French plant serving an agglomeration of about 3,000 people, it falls under the EU UWWTD, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. The plant provides advanced treatment, exceeding the directive's requirements.
In France, plants serving small agglomerations (2,000-10,000 population equivalent) typically provide secondary biological treatment. Advanced treatment may be required in sensitive areas, such as coastal zones, to protect water quality.
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