Overview
Sainte Marie Aux Mines wastewater treatment plant serves the commune of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Grand Est region of France. It treats wastewater for approximately 9,800 residents.
The Sainte Marie Aux Mines wastewater treatment plant is located in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France. The facility serves a population of around 9,800 people, typical of a small to medium agglomeration in the Vosges mountain area. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalents are required to provide secondary treatment. As the plant serves 9,800 people, it falls within this category and is expected to meet secondary treatment standards to protect the receiving environment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which drains into the Liepvrette River, a tributary of the Meurthe. The Meurthe flows into the Moselle, then the Rhine, and ultimately the North Sea. The surrounding Vosges region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and forested catchments.
Environmental context
The Sainte Marie Aux Mines plant discharges into the Liepvrette River, a tributary of the Meurthe River, which flows into the Moselle and then the Rhine. The Rhine eventually reaches the North Sea. The Vosges region is known for its forested hills and biodiversity, and the river supports fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. The area is part of the Rhine basin, a major European watershed.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, a commune in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region, France.
The plant serves approximately 9,800 residents, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the Liepvrette River, which flows into the Meurthe, Moselle, and Rhine rivers, eventually reaching the North Sea.
As a French plant serving about 9,800 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Plants of this scale in France typically provide secondary treatment, including biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, in compliance with EU standards.
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