HORNAING Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hornaing, Hauts-de-France, France

The HORNAING wastewater treatment plant is located in Hornaing, a commune in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,300 residents and has a designed capacity of 1,333 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 231.92 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations under 2,000 population equivalent, the directive requires appropriate treatment, and France's national regulations often mandate advanced treatment in sensitive areas to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Scarpe River and then the Scheldt River basin, flowing toward the North Sea. This region is part of the Scheldt estuary ecosystem, which supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory birds. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and protect downstream water bodies.

The HORNAING plant discharges into the local water system that feeds the Scarpe River, a tributary of the Scheldt River. The Scheldt basin flows through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands before reaching the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is an important corridor for migratory fish and birds. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient and pollutant inputs, contributing to the ecological health of the downstream estuary and coastal zone.