Overview
SAINTES wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Saintes in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 34,313 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The SAINTES wastewater treatment plant is located in Saintes, Charente-Maritime, within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The facility serves a population of approximately 34,313, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a French plant, SAINTES 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 treated effluent from SAINTES is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Charente River. The Charente River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and marine ecosystems.
Environmental context
The SAINTES plant discharges into the Charente River, which flows through the Charente-Maritime department before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Rochefort. The river supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The downstream estuary is ecologically sensitive, with tidal influences affecting water quality. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the coastal marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The SAINTES plant is located in Saintes, Charente-Maritime, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Its address is Dans l'Oeil du Silo, 97 Rue de Taillebourg, Saintes.
The plant serves approximately 34,313 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated wastewater from SAINTES is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Charente River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
As a French plant, SAINTES operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and potentially tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 people typically require secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated.
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