Overview
The Saint Marcel sur Aude intercommunale wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 14,199 people in Saint-Marcel-sur-Aude, Occitanie, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for
The Saint Marcel sur Aude intercommunale wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Marcel-sur-Aude, a commune in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 14,199, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. It is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its operations are part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed by local authorities. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000 are required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum standard. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 cubic meters per day, which appears low relative to the population served, suggesting possible data reporting differences. The facility is expected to comply with French national regulations transposing the directive, ensuring treated effluent meets quality standards for discharge into the local environment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Aude River. The Aude River flows through the region, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. The plant's operations contribute to protecting the water quality of the Aude River and its downstream ecosystems, including the coastal lagoons and marine environment of the Gulf of Lion.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the local watercourse, which is part of the Aude River basin. The Aude River flows southeast into the Mediterranean Sea near Narbonne, passing through agricultural and natural areas. The downstream environment includes the Narbonnaise coastal lagoons, which are ecologically sensitive habitats supporting migratory birds and fish species. The plant's treatment performance is critical to maintaining water quality in this region, which is important for both biodiversity and local tourism.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Chemin des Peupliers, Saint-Marcel-sur-Aude, in the Aude department of Occitanie, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 14,199 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Aude River and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, transposed into French national law.
For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary treatment (biological treatment). French plants often incorporate additional nutrient removal in sensitive areas.
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