OUISTREHAM Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ouistreham, Normandy, France

The OUISTREHAM wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Ouistreham, in the Calvados department of Normandy, France. It serves a population of about 14,204 residents and is situated near the mouth of the Orne River, close to the English Channel. The plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure managed by the local authority. As a facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized to handle the local population's wastewater. The plant likely employs biological treatment to meet regulatory standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Orne River estuary, which flows into the Baie de Seine and ultimately the English Channel. This coastal environment supports diverse marine life and is an important area for migratory birds and fish species. The plant's operation helps protect the water quality of the estuary and the adjacent marine ecosystem from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The OUISTREHAM plant discharges into the Orne River estuary, which flows into the Baie de Seine and then the English Channel. This coastal zone is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life including fish nurseries and migratory bird populations. The estuary's health is crucial for local fisheries and tourism, making effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and bacterial contamination.