SAINT CLAUDE VILLE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Claude, France

SAINT CLAUDE VILLE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Claude, in the Jura department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 8,330 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000 discharging into freshwater. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 m³/day, and it is situated in an inland area, over 50 km from the coast. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhône River basin via the Bienne River. The Rhône flows into the Mediterranean Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Bienne River and downstream environments.

The plant discharges into the Bienne River, a tributary of the Ain River, which flows into the Rhône River. The Rhône is a major European river that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as brown trout and grayling. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, which is important for both local biodiversity and downstream habitats.