POILLY LEZ GIEN Wastewater Treatment Plant, Poilly-lez-Gien, France

POILLY LEZ GIEN is a wastewater treatment plant located in Poilly-lez-Gien, a commune in the Loiret department of the Centre-Val de Loire region, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,832 residents and has a designed capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 505.22 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters, aligning with France's implementation of the directive in sensitive areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Loire River, one of France's major rivers. The Loire River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and recreation. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into the Loire River basin, which flows westward through central France and empties into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The Loire is known for its ecological diversity, supporting species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and maintain the health of the river's sensitive ecosystems.