Overview
PINSAGUEL wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 10,400 residents in Pinsaguel, Occitanie, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The PINSAGUEL wastewater treatment plant is located in Pinsaguel, a commune in the Haute-Garonne department of Occitanie, southern France. The facility serves a population of about 10,413 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated near the Garonne River, which flows through the region and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary. As a French wastewater facility serving a population between 10,000 and 15,000, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations of this size, unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, which would necessitate more advanced treatment. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards for effluent quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which drains into the Garonne River. The Garonne is a major river in southwestern France, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and industry. Downstream, the river flows through the Garonne Valley and into the Gironde estuary, a critical habitat for migratory fish species such as salmon and sturgeon. The plant's operation helps protect this important waterway from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
The PINSAGUEL plant discharges into the Garonne River basin, which flows through Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine before reaching the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Garonne supports a variety of fish species, including Atlantic salmon and European eel, and its estuary is a key stopover for migratory birds. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, reducing the risk of eutrophication and protecting downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The PINSAGUEL wastewater treatment plant is located in Pinsaguel, a commune in the Haute-Garonne department of the Occitanie region in southern France.
The plant serves approximately 10,413 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which drains into the Garonne River. The Garonne flows through southwestern France and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary.
As a French wastewater treatment plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges from agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 15,000 population equivalent are typically required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) unless the receiving waters are sensitive, in which case tertiary treatment may be needed.
Nearby plants