NOVES CHEF LIEU Wastewater Treatment Plant, Noves, France

NOVES CHEF LIEU is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Noves, a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,282 and has a designed capacity of 4,000 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 585.5 m³/day. As a secondary treatment facility, NOVES CHEF LIEU provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent are required to achieve secondary treatment, which this plant meets. The directive also mandates appropriate collection systems and treatment standards for sensitive areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhône River and then the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Durance River basin and downstream ecosystems, including the Camargue delta, a region of high ecological importance for migratory birds and aquatic biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the Durance River basin, a major tributary of the Rhône River. The Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea via the Camargue delta, a vast wetland complex that supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds. The secondary treatment provided by NOVES CHEF LIEU helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies.