Overview
ORCHIES wastewater treatment plant serves the commune of Orchies in Hauts-de-France, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 21,405 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The ORCHIES wastewater treatment plant is located in Orchies, a commune in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, France. Situated at Rue de Falemprise, the facility serves a population of approximately 21,405 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a plant operating in France, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The treated effluent from the ORCHIES plant is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the North Sea via the Scheldt river basin. The Hauts-de-France region features a dense network of rivers and canals, and the plant plays a key role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems from nutrient pollution and organic load.
Environmental context
The ORCHIES plant discharges into the local river system, which is part of the Scheldt basin. The Scheldt River flows through France and Belgium before reaching the North Sea near Antwerp. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish species. The region's flat terrain and agricultural land use make nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The ORCHIES plant is located at Rue de Falemprise in Orchies, a commune in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, France.
The plant serves approximately 21,405 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Scheldt river basin, which ultimately flows into the North Sea.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, ORCHIES must comply with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment and potentially tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated to protect water quality.
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