Overview
STE MARIE LA MER wastewater treatment plant serves Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, Occitanie, France. It is located near the Mediterranean coast and serves a population of approximately 20,513.
The STE MARIE LA MER wastewater treatment plant is located in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, a coastal commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, southern France. The facility serves a population of around 20,513, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under French and EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations of this size are required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum. In sensitive areas, such as coastal zones, tertiary treatment may be mandated to reduce nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause eutrophication in marine environments. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a local watercourse or outfall. The coastal waters of the Gulf of Lion support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Proper treatment is essential to protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Lion, a region known for its rich marine biodiversity, including Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and important fisheries. The coastal waters are sensitive to nutrient inputs, which can lead to algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Effective wastewater treatment helps preserve water quality and supports the ecological health of the surrounding marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, a coastal commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of Occitanie, southern France.
The plant serves approximately 20,513 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a local outfall or watercourse, contributing to the coastal water quality of the Gulf of Lion.
As a French plant serving over 2,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, in sensitive coastal areas, may require tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
Under the EU UWWTD, agglomerations of this size must provide at least secondary treatment (biological treatment). In coastal sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) is often required to protect marine ecosystems.
Nearby plants