Overview
Lespignan wastewater treatment plant in Occitanie, France serves 2,700 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 481.68 m³/day and is located near the Mediterranean coast.
The Lespignan wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Lespignan, within the Hérault department of Occitanie, southern France. It serves a population of approximately 2,700 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 4,500 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 481.68 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge contributes to the nutrient load in coastal waters, making effective treatment critical for protecting marine ecosystems and bathing water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local river system that flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Lion. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is an important area for fisheries and tourism. The proximity to the coast necessitates careful management of nutrients and pathogens to prevent eutrophication and protect recreational water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Chemin du Précario, Lespignan, in the Hérault department of Occitanie, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 2,700 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local river system, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Lion.
The plant provides secondary treatment, meeting the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for small agglomerations and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
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