Overview
Saint Pierre d'Oleron wastewater treatment plant serves La Cotiniere in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 27,232 people and is located within 50 km of the Atlantic coast.
The Saint Pierre d'Oleron wastewater treatment plant is located in La Cotiniere, on the island of Oleron in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It serves a population of approximately 27,232 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under French and EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast, which influences its operational and environmental considerations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations of this scale are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum. Since the plant is within 50 km of a sensitive coastal area, it may also be subject to more stringent requirements, such as tertiary treatment for nutrient removal, to protect the marine environment. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The surrounding waters support diverse marine life and are important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and pathogens, helping to maintain water quality for recreational and ecological purposes.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via local waterways on Oleron Island. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine habitats including seagrass beds and shellfish populations. Nutrient loading from wastewater could contribute to eutrophication, making effective treatment critical for preserving water quality and biodiversity in this coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in La Cotiniere, on the island of Oleron, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.
The plant serves approximately 27,232 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean via coastal waters.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and may require tertiary treatment in sensitive coastal areas.
For medium-sized agglomerations in France, secondary treatment is standard. In coastal zones, additional nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) is often required to protect marine ecosystems.
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