RIOLS ST PONS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Occitanie

RIOLS ST PONS is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, in the Occitanie region of southern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,800 residents and is designed to handle a capacity of 5,300 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 677.91 m³/day. As an advanced treatment facility, RIOLS ST PONS goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, ensuring high-quality effluent. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of this size are required to provide secondary treatment, and the advanced level here indicates compliance with stricter standards for sensitive areas. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Jaur River and the Orb River. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for maintaining water quality in downstream coastal ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Jaur River, a tributary of the Orb River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Valras-Plage. The Orb River basin supports diverse aquatic habitats and is important for migratory fish species. The advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in a region known for its agricultural and tourism activities.