Fort Mahon Plage, Fort-Mahon-Plage

Overview

Fort Mahon Plage wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal commune of Fort-Mahon-Plage in Hauts-de-France, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.

Fort Mahon Plage wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal commune of Fort-Mahon-Plage, in the Somme department of Hauts-de-France, northern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 20,665 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent discharging into coastal waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local coastal environment of the English Channel. This area supports diverse marine life and is part of the wider Baie de Somme ecosystem, an important migratory corridor for birds and a productive estuarine habitat.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the English Channel near the Baie de Somme, a major estuary and coastal wetland. This area supports diverse aquatic life, including fish nurseries and migratory bird populations. The receiving waters are part of the wider Manche (English Channel) marine ecosystem, which is influenced by tidal flows and nutrient inputs from surrounding agricultural land.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at Le Trou à Mouches, Fort-Mahon-Plage, in the Somme department of Hauts-de-France, northern France.

The plant serves approximately 20,665 people in the coastal commune of Fort-Mahon-Plage.

The plant discharges treated effluent into the coastal waters of the English Channel, near the Baie de Somme estuary.

As a medium-sized agglomeration (10,000-150,000 population equivalent) discharging to coastal waters, the plant is required to provide at least secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC).

In France, wastewater treatment plants serving agglomerations of this size typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet EU standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal.