Overview
Laroque d'Olmes wastewater treatment plant serves 13,300 residents in Occitanie, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Laroque d'Olmes wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Laroque-d'Olmes in the Ariège department of Occitanie, southern France. It serves a population of approximately 13,300 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a French facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater and estuaries from agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment process and capacity are managed to meet these standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality objectives. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Hers-Vif river, a tributary of the Ariège River. The Ariège flows into the Garonne River, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary. The plant plays a key role in protecting the aquatic ecosystems of the Hers-Vif and downstream water bodies from nutrient pollution and organic load.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Hers-Vif river, a tributary of the Ariège River, which flows into the Garonne River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory fish species. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, reducing nutrient and organic pollution that could impact downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on D 928 in Laroque-d'Olmes, in the Ariège department of Occitanie, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 13,300 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Hers-Vif river, a tributary of the Ariège River, and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
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 discharging into freshwater.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, which includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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