Overview
Hendaye Armatonde wastewater treatment plant serves 21,917 people in Hendaye, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It is located within 50 km of the Atlantic coast and operates under EU regulations.
The Hendaye Armatonde wastewater treatment plant is located in Hendaye, a coastal town in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France, near the Spanish border. The plant serves a population of approximately 21,917 residents, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The regulatory framework ensures that treated effluent meets standards for protecting the sensitive coastal environment. The plant's treated wastewater ultimately discharges into the Bay of Biscay via local watercourses. The coastal waters near Hendaye support diverse marine life and are part of a region known for its ecological significance, including migratory fish species and estuarine habitats. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this popular tourist and ecological area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Bay of Biscay, a productive marine ecosystem that supports fisheries and marine biodiversity. The coastal waters near Hendaye are influenced by the Bidassoa River estuary, which forms the border with Spain and provides critical habitat for migratory birds and fish. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Atlantic and the presence of diverse coastal habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Hendaye, a coastal town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France, near the Spanish border.
The plant serves approximately 21,917 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that flow into the Bay of Biscay, a coastal marine environment.
As a French facility, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people discharging into coastal waters.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 10,000-150,000 people in coastal areas typically require secondary treatment, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
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