MODANE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Freney, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

The MODANE wastewater treatment plant is located in Freney, a commune in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. Situated along the Autoroute de la Maurienne, the plant serves a population of around 12,736 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a French facility, MODANE operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment processes and capacity are designed to meet these standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality objectives. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Arc River, a tributary of the Isère River, and then into the Rhône River. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for downstream communities and agriculture. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of this alpine river network.

The MODANE plant discharges into the Arc River, which flows through the Maurienne valley and joins the Isère River near Albertville. The Isère then flows into the Rhône River, one of Europe's major rivers, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The alpine watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting species adapted to cold, fast-flowing waters. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality for downstream uses and habitats.