Saint Vallier Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Vallier, France

The Saint Vallier wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Saint-Vallier, within the Drôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The facility serves a population of approximately 11,133 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a French wastewater treatment plant, Saint Vallier 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 advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's specific treatment processes and capacity are managed by the local authority to meet these regulatory standards. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rhône River, one of Europe's major waterways. The Rhône flows southward through the Rhône Valley and into the Mediterranean Sea near the Camargue delta. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor for migratory fish species.

The plant discharges into the Rhône River basin, which flows through southeastern France and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Rhône is a major European river supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as the European eel and migratory birds along its delta. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its role in connecting Alpine and Mediterranean habitats.