MATHA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Matha, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

The MATHA wastewater treatment plant is located in Matha, a commune in the Charente-Maritime department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,400 residents and operates with advanced treatment technology, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. With a designed capacity of 3,300 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 432 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a French facility, it complies with national regulations transposing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Boutonne River, a tributary of the Charente River, which eventually reaches the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The plant plays a key role in preserving water quality in the Charente basin, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems.

The MATHA plant discharges into the Boutonne River catchment, part of the larger Charente River basin that drains into the Bay of Biscay. This region supports diverse freshwater and estuarine habitats, including migratory fish species. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream waters from eutrophication and maintaining ecological balance.