Overview
LA SAMARITAINE wastewater treatment plant serves Dunkerque in Hauts-de-France, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 31,280 people and is located near the coast.
LA SAMARITAINE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Dunkerque, within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The plant serves an estimated population of 31,280, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. Its coastal proximity influences its operational and environmental context. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. For plants near sensitive coastal areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated to protect marine environments. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the North Sea. This coastal discharge point is ecologically significant, as the North Sea supports diverse marine life and is an important fishing ground. The plant's performance directly affects water quality in the surrounding coastal zone and contributes to the overall health of the regional marine ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the local drainage network that flows into the North Sea near Dunkerque. This coastal environment supports diverse marine species and is part of a busy shipping corridor. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters, making treatment standards critical for preserving water quality and aquatic habitats in the region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Rue Claude Vandamme in Dunkerque, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France.
The plant serves approximately 31,280 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows to the North Sea near Dunkerque.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent and additional nutrient removal in sensitive coastal areas.
Under the EU directive, plants serving 10,000-100,000 population equivalent are required to have secondary treatment. For coastal plants like this, tertiary treatment or nutrient removal may be required to protect marine waters from eutrophication.
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