Saint-Cannat Nouvelle Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Cannat, France

Saint-Cannat Nouvelle is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Cannat, a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. The plant serves a population of 3,604 and operates under the regulatory framework of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's designed capacity is 5,000 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 642.95 m³/day. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment level mandated by the EU directive for inland freshwater discharges. As a facility serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the category of small agglomerations, where secondary treatment is sufficient unless the receiving water body is designated as a sensitive area. The plant is located inland, more than 10 km from the coast, reducing direct marine impact. The treated effluent from Saint-Cannat Nouvelle is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Rhône River basin. The region's water bodies support diverse aquatic life and are important for irrigation and recreation. The plant's operation helps protect downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and organic matter, contributing to the ecological health of the Rhône delta and the Gulf of Lion.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that ultimately flows into the Mediterranean Sea via the Rhône River. The Rhône basin is a major ecological corridor supporting diverse fish species, migratory birds, and riparian habitats. Downstream areas include the Camargue region, a vast wetland complex that provides critical ecosystem services such as flood control and water purification. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic load and nutrients, helping to prevent eutrophication in the coastal zone.