GAVRES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gâvres, Brittany, France

The GAVRES wastewater treatment plant is located in Gâvres, a coastal commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,231 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. With a designed capacity of 3,320 m³/day and an average daily flow of 754.80 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The plant's secondary treatment level meets the EU directive's requirements for agglomerations of this size, which mandate secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in normal areas. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its treated effluent likely discharges into a coastal water body, such as the Atlantic Ocean or the Ria d'Etel, a nearby estuary. This discharge must comply with French regulations implementing the EU directive to protect marine ecosystems and bathing waters. The surrounding area includes the Gulf of Morbihan and the Quiberon Peninsula, ecologically sensitive zones supporting diverse marine life and migratory birds.

The GAVRES plant discharges into the coastal waters of southern Brittany, likely via the Ria d'Etel or directly into the Atlantic Ocean. This region is part of the Mor Braz, a large bay that supports rich marine biodiversity, including seagrass beds and nursery grounds for fish. The area is also important for migratory birds and shellfish farming. As a coastal plant, its discharge must meet stringent standards to prevent eutrophication and protect water quality for tourism and aquaculture.