SAINT RAPHAEL Agay, Saint-Raphaël

Overview

SAINT RAPHAEL Agay wastewater treatment plant serves Saint-Raphaël in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, with a designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per day for a population of 18,740.

The SAINT RAPHAEL Agay wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Raphaël, a coastal commune in the Var department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. It serves a population of 18,740 and has a designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per day. The plant is situated near the Mediterranean coast, within 50 km of the shoreline. As a French wastewater treatment facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for discharges to coastal waters, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the receiving area is designated as sensitive. Compliance with EU standards is expected for facilities of this scale. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall. The local watershed includes the Argens River and its tributaries, which flow into the Bay of Fréjus. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries, making proper treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect water quality.

Environmental context

The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The local coastal zone includes the Bay of Fréjus, which supports seagrass beds (Posidonia oceanica) that are crucial for biodiversity and sediment stabilization. Proper wastewater treatment helps prevent algal blooms and maintains the ecological health of this marine environment.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at Pointes de Camp Long, Saint-Raphaël, in the Var department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.

The plant serves a population of 18,740 people in the Saint-Raphaël area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea, likely through a marine outfall, as it is located within 50 km of the coast.

As a French plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for coastal discharges and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.

For agglomerations of this size, French regulations typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving water is sensitive to nutrient pollution.