Overview
ITXASSOU 2 is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Itxassou, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, serving 2,233 people with a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day.
ITXASSOU 2 is a wastewater treatment facility located in Itxassou, a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. The plant serves a population of 2,233 and has a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 398.36 m³/day. It operates under the French regulatory framework, which implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this scale. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent that meets stringent standards for nutrient removal and pathogen reduction. As a facility serving a small agglomeration (under 10,000 population equivalent), it is subject to requirements for secondary treatment under the EU directive, with advanced treatment likely mandated due to the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Nive River (Errobi in Basque) and eventually into the Adour estuary near Bayonne, reaching the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). This coastal influence underscores the importance of advanced treatment to protect marine and estuarine ecosystems, including habitats for migratory fish species such as salmon and eels.
Environmental context
ITXASSOU 2 discharges into the Nive River basin, a tributary of the Adour River, which flows into the Bay of Biscay. The downstream environment includes the Adour estuary, a dynamic coastal zone supporting diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish and bird populations. The advanced treatment level helps mitigate nutrient loading and protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive area, which is important for regional biodiversity and fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
ITXASSOU 2 is located in Itxassou, a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France.
The plant serves a population of 2,233, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Nive River and eventually the Adour estuary, reaching the Bay of Biscay.
ITXASSOU 2 employs advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal and disinfection, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required for its size under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
As a French plant serving under 10,000 population equivalent, ITXASSOU 2 operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum. Its advanced treatment likely reflects local environmental sensitivity, such as proximity to coastal waters.
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