Overview
SAINT AVOLD wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 23,300 people in Saint-Avold, Grand Est, France. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring proper treatment for its population tier.
The SAINT AVOLD wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Avold, a commune in the Moselle department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. The plant serves an estimated population of 23,300, placing it within the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum. For sensitive areas, more stringent treatment may be mandated. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Moselle River, a major tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this transboundary river system.
Environmental context
The SAINT AVOLD plant discharges into the Moselle River basin, which flows through France, Luxembourg, and Germany before joining the Rhine. The Moselle and Rhine rivers support diverse aquatic life, including salmonids and other migratory fish. The region's water quality is managed under the EU Water Framework Directive, aiming for good ecological status. The plant's operation helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads entering this internationally important river system.
Frequently asked questions
The SAINT AVOLD plant is located in Saint-Avold, a commune in the Moselle department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France, near the D 603 road.
The plant serves approximately 23,300 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Moselle River, a major tributary of the Rhine River.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, if in a sensitive area, tertiary treatment.
For agglomerations of this size, French plants typically provide secondary biological treatment (activated sludge or similar) to meet EU standards, with additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive waters.
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