Laroquebrou Wastewater Treatment Plant - Secondary Treatment in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

The Laroquebrou wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Laroquebrou, within the Cantal department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,193 residents, reflecting a small rural agglomeration typical of the Massif Central area. The plant operates with 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. The directive mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000, ensuring organic matter reduction. The plant's designed capacity is 6,116 cubic meters per day, with an actual discharge volume of 212.83 cubic meters per day, indicating ample capacity for current loads. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Dordogne River basin. This river system flows westward through the Périgord region and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary. The plant's location inland, far from the coast, reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall water quality of the Dordogne watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and tourism.

The plant discharges into the Dordogne River basin, a major river system in southwestern France that flows into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary. The watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region, which is also important for downstream drinking water supplies and recreational activities.