Overview
GACE wastewater treatment plant serves Gacé, Normandie, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 9,870 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
GACE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Gacé, within the Normandie region of France. The facility serves a population of approximately 9,870, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are integral to the local sanitation infrastructure. As a French facility, GACE operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires appropriate treatment before discharge into freshwater bodies. The plant is expected to meet the regulatory standards for biological treatment and nutrient removal where necessary. The treated effluent from GACE is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the English Channel via the Orne River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the surrounding rivers and downstream environments, supporting aquatic life and maintaining ecological balance in the region.
Environmental context
GACE discharges into the Orne River basin, which flows northward through Normandie and empties into the English Channel at Ouistreham. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support diverse marine life, including fish species and migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the Orne estuary and the broader Channel ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The GACE plant is located at D 979, Le Planier, Gacé, in the Orne department of Normandie, France.
The plant serves approximately 9,870 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges into the Orne River basin, which flows into the English Channel, protecting downstream freshwater and coastal ecosystems.
As a French plant serving around 10,000 people, GACE is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and appropriate nutrient removal for discharges into sensitive areas.
For agglomerations of this size, French plants typically employ secondary biological treatment, often including activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet EU standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal.
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