Overview
ORLEANS LA SOURCE wastewater treatment plant serves Orléans, France, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It handles a population equivalent of approximately 35,551 under EU regulatory standards.
ORLEANS LA SOURCE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Orléans, France, within the Centre-Val de Loire region. The facility serves a population equivalent of about 35,551, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As part of France's municipal wastewater infrastructure, it plays a key role in managing urban wastewater for the city and surrounding areas. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets effluent standards appropriate for its discharge environment. The facility is part of France's national wastewater management system, overseen by local water agencies. The treated effluent is discharged into the Loire River, one of France's major waterways, which flows through the Loire Valley and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's operations help protect the river's water quality and support the ecological health of the Loire basin, a region known for its biodiversity and agricultural significance.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Loire River, which flows through the Loire Valley and drains into the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire basin supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. The river's water quality is critical for downstream ecosystems, wetlands, and human uses including drinking water and agriculture.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Pont René Thinat in Orléans, in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 35,551 people.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Loire River, which flows through the Loire Valley to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a medium agglomeration (35,551 PE), the plant is required to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, ensuring adequate pollutant removal before discharge.
In France, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to comply with EU and national regulations. Some may also include tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
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