Port des Barques Intercommunale Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Port des Barques Intercommunale is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Port-des-Barques, a coastal commune in the Charente-Maritime department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,000 residents and is designed with a capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day, with an average daily discharge volume of about 900 cubic meters. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, ensuring high-quality effluent. The plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. Given its coastal location, the plant likely meets stringent standards to protect the marine environment. The facility is part of France's national wastewater infrastructure, regulated by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and local water agencies. The treated effluent is discharged into the Charente River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean. This area supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species and coastal birds. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects the ecological balance of the estuary and adjacent marine habitats.

The plant discharges into the Charente River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal zone is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life and serving as a nursery for fish. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in the estuary and protecting downstream habitats.