GORZE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gorze, Grand Est, France

The GORZE wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Gorze, within the Moselle department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. It serves a small population of approximately 640 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated near the Moselle River basin, which ultimately drains into the Rhine River. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant's designed capacity is 2,235 m³/day, with an average daily discharge volume of 114.18 m³, indicating ample capacity for current loads. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that feed into the Moselle River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as an important migratory corridor for fish. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream water quality in this transboundary river system.

The plant discharges into the Moselle River basin, which flows into the Rhine River and ultimately reaches the North Sea. The Moselle and Rhine rivers support diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as salmon and eel. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and maintaining ecological balance in the Rhine basin.