Overview
Salon-de-Provence wastewater treatment plant serves over 91,000 residents in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring compliance with secondary treatment standards for large agglomer
The Salon-de-Provence wastewater treatment plant is a key municipal facility located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. Serving a population of approximately 91,442, it falls into the EU classification of a large agglomeration (over 15,000 population equivalent). The plant is situated near the city of Salon-de-Provence, within the broader Aix-en-Provence metropolitan area. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of this scale are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment mandated if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1. French wastewater facilities are regulated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and local water agencies, with permits issued under the French Water Law. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Mediterranean Sea. The region's Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and heavy autumn rains, influences both water availability and treatment demands. The downstream environment includes the Étang de Berre lagoon and the Gulf of Lion, which support diverse marine life and are important for regional fisheries and tourism.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge contributes to the local watershed that flows through the Crau plain and into the Mediterranean Sea via the Étang de Berre lagoon. This coastal lagoon is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life including fish nurseries and migratory birds. The Mediterranean Sea downstream faces pressures from nutrient loading, making effective treatment crucial for protecting marine water quality and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Salon-de-Provence, within the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. Its address is Chemin des Entrages, near the Les Entrages area.
The plant serves approximately 91,442 residents, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow toward the Mediterranean Sea, likely via the Étang de Berre lagoon or the Gulf of Lion.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) and national French water laws, enforced by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and local water agencies.
For agglomerations over 15,000 population equivalent, the EU directive requires at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal is mandated.
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