ESPIRA DE L AGLY2 Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rivesaltes, Occitanie

ESPIRA DE L AGLY2 is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Rivesaltes, within the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, France. The plant serves a population of around 3,312 people and has a designed capacity of 5,000 m³/day, with a discharge volume of 590.85 m³/day. It operates under the French regulatory framework, which implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). As an advanced treatment facility, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is typical for plants discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's scale corresponds to a small agglomeration, and French regulations require appropriate treatment levels to protect receiving water bodies. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Agly River or nearby coastal lagoons. The region's aquatic ecosystems benefit from the advanced treatment, reducing nutrient loading and protecting biodiversity in the sensitive coastal environment.

The plant discharges into the Agly River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Lion. This coastal region includes ecologically sensitive lagoons and wetlands that support diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish and waterbirds. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient pollution, safeguarding water quality in the downstream marine environment.