Overview
SARLAT wastewater treatment plant serves Sarlat-la-Canéda in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It treats wastewater for approximately 19,020 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The SARLAT wastewater treatment plant is located in Sarlat-la-Canéda, a town in the Dordogne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The facility serves a population of approximately 19,020 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum. In sensitive areas, such as those draining into nutrient-sensitive water bodies, tertiary treatment may be mandated. It operates within this regulatory framework. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Dordogne River. The Dordogne River flows westward through the region and eventually reaches the Gironde estuary on the Atlantic coast. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor for migratory fish species.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Dordogne River basin, which flows into the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Dordogne River is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish populations including salmon and lamprey. The watershed is also known for its scenic gorges and agricultural lands, making nutrient management important to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The SARLAT plant is located at 821 Route de Vitrac, Sarlat-la-Canéda, in the Dordogne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
The plant serves approximately 19,020 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Dordogne River and eventually reaches the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalent must provide secondary treatment. The SARLAT plant, serving 19,020 people, is required to meet this standard, with potential additional nutrient removal if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive.
In France, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet EU standards. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal may be required to protect downstream water quality.
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