Overview
LES MEES2 is a secondary treatment plant in Les Mées, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, serving about 5,066 people. It discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed.
LES MEES2 is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Les Mées, a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of southeastern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,066, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under French regulations. It is situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, an area characterized by a Mediterranean climate and varied terrain. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 5,830 cubic meters per day, and the actual discharge volume is 903.77 cubic meters per day, indicating operational headroom. The facility is part of France's national wastewater infrastructure, regulated under the French Public Health Code and the Water Law, with permits issued by the local water agency. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Durance River, a major tributary of the Rhône. The Durance River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for irrigation and hydroelectric power in the region. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the Rhône basin and the Mediterranean Sea.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Durance River, a major tributary of the Rhône River. The Durance flows through a region of ecological importance, supporting fish species such as the European eel and various migratory birds. The river eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea, making the plant's treatment performance critical for coastal water quality and marine ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
LES MEES2 is located in Les Mées, a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
The plant serves approximately 5,066 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under EU and French regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Durance River, a major tributary of the Rhône River, and ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
LES MEES2 provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for inland plants serving populations between 2,000 and 10,000.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into French law. It is subject to permits from the local water agency and must comply with discharge standards to protect the Durance River and downstream ecosystems.
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