Overview
SAINT MAXIMIN LA SAINTE BAUME wastewater treatment plant serves Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, with a population equivalent of 20,930. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The SAINT MAXIMIN LA SAINTE BAUME wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, a commune in the Var department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France. It serves a population equivalent of 20,930, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French plant, it 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 discharge enters sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating its scale. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the coastal rivers of the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the downstream environment, including the Gapeau River and the Bay of Hyères, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Gapeau River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Hyères. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is important for tourism and fishing. The region's karst geology and seasonal rainfall patterns influence water availability and treatment needs. Protecting the downstream environment is critical for maintaining ecological balance and water quality in the Bay of Hyères.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, in the Var department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 20,930, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Gapeau River and eventually the Mediterranean Sea near Hyères.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and may require tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
For agglomerations of this scale, the EU directive requires secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect water bodies from eutrophication.
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