Overview
ST MICHEL EN L HERM Route de la dive is a secondary treatment plant serving 3,426 people in Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm, France. Located within 10 km of the coast, it discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed.
ST MICHEL EN L HERM Route de la dive is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm, a commune in the Vendée department of Pays de la Loire, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,426 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under French regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,400 m³/day and currently treats an average daily volume of 611.19 m³, indicating ample reserve capacity for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Baie de l'Aiguillon, a coastal bay known for its ecological significance. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge must meet stringent standards to protect sensitive marine and estuarine environments.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local watershed that flows into the Baie de l'Aiguillon, a coastal bay on the Atlantic Ocean. This area supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish and waterbirds, and is part of a broader network of coastal wetlands. The proximity to the coast requires careful management of nutrient loads to prevent eutrophication in the sensitive marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm, a commune in the Vendée department of Pays de la Loire, France. Its address is Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm, Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France.
The plant serves a population of approximately 3,426 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under French and EU regulations.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Baie de l'Aiguillon on the Atlantic coast. Its coastal location requires compliance with strict discharge standards.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. National regulations enforce the directive through permits issued by local authorities.
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 population equivalent) in France, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under the EU UWWTD. This typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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