Overview
SAUMUR Bellevue wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 50,800 people in Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
SAUMUR Bellevue is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Saumur, within the Pays de la Loire region of France. The facility serves an estimated population of 50,800, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French plant, SAUMUR Bellevue operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Loire River, one of France's major waterways, which flows westward through the Loire Valley and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean near Saint-Nazaire. The Loire River supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important corridor for migratory fish species.
Environmental context
SAUMUR Bellevue discharges into the Loire River, which flows through the Loire Valley and empties into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The Loire is a large, ecologically significant river that supports diverse fish populations, including Atlantic salmon and European eel. The river's watershed includes agricultural areas and several protected natural zones, making nutrient management and treatment quality important for downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
SAUMUR Bellevue is located in Saumur, in the Maine-et-Loire department of the Pays de la Loire region, France. The address is Chem. de Halage des Huraudières, Saumur.
The plant serves approximately 50,800 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Loire River, which flows through the Loire Valley and into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a plant serving over 10,000 people, SAUMUR Bellevue is subject to the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment. If the Loire River is designated as a sensitive area, tertiary treatment may also be required.
In France, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or biofiltration, to meet EU standards. Many also include nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies.
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