SAINT GELAIS pelle chat, Ruffigny

Overview

SAINT GELAIS pelle chat is a wastewater treatment plant serving Ruffigny, France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It handles a population equivalent of 14,784 and discharges into the local watershed.

SAINT GELAIS pelle chat is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ruffigny, within the commune of La Crèche in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 14,784, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under French and 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 of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. It is expected to comply with national standards set by the French Ministry of Ecology. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Sèvre Niortaise river and then into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and small rivers, making the plant's role in protecting water quality important for both local ecosystems and downstream coastal environments.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Sèvre Niortaise river basin, which flows through the Marais Poitevin wetlands before reaching the Bay of Biscay. This region supports diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its agricultural runoff and the presence of protected marshlands, making nutrient removal and proper treatment critical for maintaining water quality.

Frequently asked questions

SAINT GELAIS pelle chat is located in Ruffigny, a locality within the commune of La Crèche, in the Deux-Sèvres department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France.

The plant serves a population equivalent of 14,784, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment directives.

The treated wastewater is discharged into the local water system, which flows into the Sèvre Niortaise river and eventually reaches the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean.

As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent, and more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.

For medium agglomerations like this, French plants typically employ secondary biological treatment (e.g., activated sludge) to meet EU standards. If the discharge is into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be required.