Overview
ST ETIENNE DU GRES NOUVELLE is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, France, serving about 3,900 people. It discharges treated water into the local watershed within the Rhône basin.
ST ETIENNE DU GRES NOUVELLE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,900 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under French and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size in non-sensitive areas. With a designed capacity of 3,200 cubic meters per day and an average daily discharge volume of about 700 cubic meters, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Rhône River and then the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the downstream aquatic environment, including the Camargue region, a ecologically significant delta area known for its wetlands and biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Rhône River, which flows through the Camargue delta into the Mediterranean Sea. The Rhône basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical migratory corridor for fish. The downstream Camargue wetlands are ecologically sensitive, hosting numerous bird species and requiring careful nutrient management to prevent eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 3,922 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse that flows into the Rhône River, eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size in non-sensitive areas.
As a French municipal plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in non-sensitive areas. French authorities enforce compliance through local permits.
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