JOUQUES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jouques, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

The JOUQUES wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Jouques, within the Aix-en-Provence area of Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,927 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 4,000 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 343.77 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Durance River, a major tributary of the Rhône River. The Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's operations help protect the Durance River ecosystem, which supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for the region.

The JOUQUES plant discharges into the Durance River basin, a key tributary of the Rhône River. The Durance supports a variety of fish species and provides irrigation and drinking water for the region. Downstream, the Rhône River flows into the Mediterranean Sea, where nutrient inputs can affect coastal water quality. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and protect the aquatic environment.