Noyers-sur-Cher Les Gargouilles Wastewater Treatment Plant, Centre-Val de Loire

Noyers-sur-Cher Les Gargouilles is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Noyers-sur-Cher, a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of the Centre-Val de Loire region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,472 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 5,420 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 619.40 m³/day, the plant operates well within its capacity. Under the EU UWWTD, small agglomerations like this are typically required to provide appropriate treatment, and advanced treatment indicates a high level of environmental protection. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Cher River, a tributary of the Loire River. The Loire River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Cher River and the Loire basin from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, supporting aquatic life and water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into the Cher River, a major tributary of the Loire River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire basin is known for its diverse aquatic ecosystems and migratory fish species. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream water quality and supporting biodiversity in the river and estuary.