Le Passage Wastewater Treatment Plant: Serving 26,000 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Le Passage wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Le Passage, near Agen in the Lot-et-Garonne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The facility serves a population of approximately 26,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Canal de Garonne, part of the broader Garonne river system. As a French wastewater facility serving over 10,000 people, Le Passage is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations of this size, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but it is expected to meet these EU standards. The treated effluent from Le Passage likely discharges into the Garonne River or its tributaries, which flow into the Gironde estuary and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. The Garonne basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this region, particularly given the agricultural and urban pressures in the area.

Le Passage discharges into the Garonne River basin, which flows through southwestern France to the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Garonne supports diverse aquatic species and is a vital migratory route for fish such as salmon and eels. The plant's operations help mitigate nutrient and pollutant loads in this ecologically sensitive watershed, which faces pressures from agriculture and urban runoff.