Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu 1 La Petite Beaujoire - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Pays de la Loire, France

Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu 1 La Petite Beaujoire is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. The plant serves a population of 4,467, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). Its designed capacity is 4,300 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 796.90 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU UWWTD for agglomerations of this size. This level of treatment is typical for sensitive areas where nutrient removal is necessary to protect receiving water bodies. The plant operates under French regulations that implement the EU directive, ensuring compliance with discharge standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Loire River estuary. The region's aquatic ecosystems benefit from the advanced treatment, which reduces nutrient loads and helps maintain water quality in downstream environments. The plant plays a key role in protecting the ecological health of the area's rivers and coastal waters.

The plant discharges into the local watershed, part of the Loire River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire estuary is a critical habitat for migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon and European eel. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient pollution, supporting the ecological balance of this important coastal and marine environment.