Montebourg nouvelle Wastewater Treatment Plant, Montebourg, Normandy

Montebourg nouvelle is a wastewater treatment plant located in Montebourg, a commune in the Manche department of Normandy, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,810 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and its treated effluent flows into the local river system. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 3,700 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 501.30 m³/day, indicating operational headroom. As a French facility, it operates under national permits that implement EU directives, ensuring compliance with discharge limits for organic matter and suspended solids. The treated water ultimately drains into the English Channel via the Douve River or nearby coastal streams. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the Normandy bocage landscape. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and the marine environment of the Channel, which is important for fisheries and tourism.

The plant discharges into the local river network, which flows into the Douve River and eventually reaches the English Channel. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support migratory fish and bird species. The region's watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Channel, and secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters.