Overview
Lyon Pierre Benite wastewater treatment plant serves over 587,000 people in Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations in sensitive areas.
The Lyon Pierre Benite wastewater treatment plant is a major municipal facility located in Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, within the Lyon metropolitan area in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Serving a population of over 587,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive catchments like the Rhône River basin. As a large-scale plant, it is expected to provide at least secondary treatment, with tertiary nutrient removal likely in place to meet the stringent requirements of the Rhône River, a major European waterway. The plant's capacity and treatment processes are designed to handle the high organic load from a dense urban population, ensuring compliance with French regulations derived from the EU directive. The treated effluent is discharged into the Rhône River, which flows southward through the Rhône Valley to the Mediterranean Sea. This river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant plays a critical role in protecting downstream water quality, including the Camargue delta, a ecologically sensitive wetland area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Rhône River, one of Europe's major rivers, which flows from the Swiss Alps through southeastern France to the Mediterranean Sea. The Rhône basin supports diverse ecosystems, including migratory fish like the European eel and various bird species. Downstream, the river forms the Camargue delta, a vast wetland complex that is ecologically sensitive and important for biodiversity. The plant's treatment performance directly affects the health of these downstream environments.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, a commune in the Lyon metropolitan area, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
The plant serves a population of approximately 587,015 people, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Rhône River, which flows south to the Mediterranean Sea. The plant must meet strict discharge standards to protect the river's ecosystem.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires tertiary treatment for large agglomerations discharging into sensitive areas like the Rhône basin.
For large agglomerations in France, the EU directive mandates at least secondary treatment, with tertiary nutrient removal often required to protect sensitive water bodies like the Rhône River.
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