Overview
MERLEVENEZ wastewater treatment plant in Merlevenez, Bretagne, France serves 1,800 people with secondary treatment. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,900 m³/day and discharges 321.12 m³/day.
The MERLEVENEZ wastewater treatment plant is located in Merlevenez, a commune in the Morbihan department of Bretagne, France. It serves a population of approximately 1,800 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates as part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the Lorient area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater. The designed capacity is 1,900 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 321.12 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The plant is operated by the local municipality, and its discharge is regulated under French water law, which implements the EU directive. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Blavet River or nearby coastal waters. The receiving environment supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the broader Morbihan Gulf ecosystem, which is ecologically sensitive due to its role as a nursery for marine species and migratory bird habitat.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Blavet River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Lorient. The downstream environment includes the Morbihan Gulf, a semi-enclosed marine area known for its rich biodiversity and role as a nursery for fish and shellfish. The region's coastal waters are subject to nutrient sensitivity, making secondary treatment important for controlling eutrophication risks.
Frequently asked questions
The MERLEVENEZ plant is located at Route de Nostang, Kervenant, Merlevenez, in the Morbihan department of Bretagne, France.
The plant serves approximately 1,800 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for discharges into freshwater from agglomerations of this size.
As a French plant serving fewer than 2,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. For smaller plants, French national regulations require appropriate treatment to protect receiving waters.
The plant has a designed capacity of 1,900 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 321.12 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity for future growth.
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