Overview
LA FRANQUI wastewater treatment plant in Leucate, Occitanie, France, serves about 5,072 people with secondary treatment. It discharges approximately 905 m³/day and is located within 10 km of the Mediterranean coast.
LA FRANQUI is a wastewater treatment plant located in Leucate, a commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,072 and is situated near the Mediterranean coastline, within 10 km of the sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 1,800 m³/day and an average daily discharge volume of about 905 m³, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal location means the plant's discharge can affect marine water quality, particularly in the sensitive coastal zone of the Gulf of Lion. The region supports diverse marine life and is important for tourism and fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via local watercourses in the Gulf of Lion. This coastal area is ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity. The proximity to the coast means that treated wastewater must meet stringent standards to protect bathing waters and marine habitats, especially given the region's importance for tourism and fishing.
Frequently asked questions
LA FRANQUI is located in Leucate, a commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France, near the Mediterranean coast.
The plant serves approximately 5,072 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that flow into the Mediterranean Sea, specifically in the Gulf of Lion area.
LA FRANQUI provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of its size.
As a French plant, LA FRANQUI operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into French law, which mandates secondary treatment and monitoring for coastal discharges.
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