STEU DE CAMBAIE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Paul, La Réunion

STEU DE CAMBAIE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Saint-Paul, on the island of La Réunion, an overseas department of France. The plant serves a population of approximately 27,331 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal or freshwater environments. 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 local watershed on La Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean. The island's rivers and streams ultimately drain into the surrounding marine environment, which supports diverse coral reef ecosystems and is ecologically sensitive. Proper treatment is essential to protect both freshwater and coastal water quality.

STEU DE CAMBAIE discharges into the watershed of La Réunion, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. The island's rivers flow from the mountainous interior to the coast, where they enter the marine environment. The coastal waters around Saint-Paul support diverse marine life, including coral reefs and fish populations. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient pollution and protect these sensitive ecosystems.