Overview
Pierrelatte wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 17,500 people in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. The facility discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, ultimately draining to the Rhône River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Pierrelatte wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Pierrelatte, in the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeastern France. It serves a population of about 17,500, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under French regulations. As a French facility, the plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. Compliance with national standards ensures appropriate treatment for the local environment. The treated wastewater from Pierrelatte is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Rhône River, one of Europe's major waterways. The Rhône drains into the Mediterranean Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the Rhône basin and the downstream marine environment.
Environmental context
The Pierrelatte plant discharges into a tributary of the Rhône River, which flows southward through the Rhône delta into the Mediterranean Sea. The Rhône basin supports a variety of aquatic habitats and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The Mediterranean coastal zone near the Rhône mouth is ecologically sensitive, with seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity that depend on good water quality. Effective wastewater treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads entering these waters.
Frequently asked questions
The Pierrelatte wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Pierrelatte, in the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeastern France.
The plant serves approximately 17,500 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under French and EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Rhône River and ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are generally required to have secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
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