Overview
ROUBAIX WATTRELOS wastewater treatment plant serves over 660,000 people in Wattrelos, Hauts-de-France, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations in sensitive are
ROUBAIX WATTRELOS is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Wattrelos, near Lille in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Serving a population of approximately 662,600, it is classified as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated in the industrial and urban corridor of the Lille metropolitan area, a densely populated region with significant water management challenges. As a large-scale facility, ROUBAIX WATTRELOS is expected to provide at least secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment required if discharging into sensitive areas. French regulations under the EU directive mandate rigorous monitoring and compliance for plants of this size. The facility likely incorporates advanced biological treatment to meet stringent effluent standards for nutrients and organic matter. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the North Sea via the Scheldt River basin. The region's waterways support diverse aquatic life and are important for agriculture and industry. Effective treatment at ROUBAIX WATTRELOS helps protect downstream ecosystems and maintains water quality in the sensitive coastal zone of the English Channel and North Sea.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the local drainage network, which flows into the Deûle River, a tributary of the Scheldt River. The Scheldt basin drains into the North Sea near Antwerp, passing through industrial and agricultural areas. The downstream environment includes estuarine habitats that support migratory fish and bird species. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters, making advanced treatment critical for protecting the North Sea's ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
ROUBAIX WATTRELOS is located in Wattrelos, a commune in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France, France. The address is Rue de la Carluyère, Le Plouys, Wattrelos, 59150, near the city of Lille.
The plant serves approximately 662,600 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Treated wastewater from ROUBAIX WATTRELOS is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Deûle River, a tributary of the Scheldt River, ultimately reaching the North Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for all agglomerations and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. French national regulations enforce these standards.
For large agglomerations like ROUBAIX WATTRELOS, typical treatment includes primary sedimentation, biological secondary treatment (e. g. , activated sludge), and often tertiary treatment for nutrient removal to meet strict effluent limits, especially in sensitive watersheds.
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