Maulevrier Chemin des Gats Wastewater Treatment Plant, Maulévrier, Pays de la Loire

Maulevrier Chemin des Gats is a wastewater treatment facility located in Maulévrier, a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department of the Pays de la Loire region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,200 and has a designed capacity of 2,500 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 392.48 cubic meters per day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters, aligning with French regulations for areas designated as sensitive under the directive. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Loire River basin, one of France's major river systems. The Loire flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and important migratory fish species. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Loire River basin, which flows westward through the Pays de la Loire region and empties into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The Loire basin supports a rich variety of aquatic life, including migratory fish such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Advanced treatment at the plant reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and maintain ecological balance in this important watershed.