La Ferté Bernard Cherre Cherreau Wastewater Treatment Plant, La Ferté-Bernard, France

The La Ferté Bernard Cherre Cherreau wastewater treatment plant is located in La Ferté-Bernard, a commune in the Sarthe department of the Pays de la Loire region, France. The plant serves an estimated population of 25,000, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations of this size are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Sarthe River, a tributary of the Loire River. The Loire is one of France's longest rivers and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive, requiring careful management of nutrient loads to prevent eutrophication.

The plant's treated effluent enters the local watercourse, which flows into the Sarthe River, a major tributary of the Loire River. The Loire River basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and migratory birds. The downstream environment includes the Loire estuary, which is a critical habitat for aquatic life. Nutrient management is important to prevent eutrophication in the river system.