Overview
SUMENE wastewater treatment plant in Sumène, Occitanie, France, serves about 2,053 people with advanced treatment. It discharges an average of 366 m³/day and has a design capacity of 2,500 m³/day.
The SUMENE wastewater treatment plant is located in Sumène, a commune in the Gard department of Occitanie, southern France. It serves a population of approximately 2,053 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated along the Voie Verte Sumène-Ganges, a greenway that follows the historic railway line. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU directive for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant has a design capacity of 2,500 m³/day and currently treats an average daily flow of 366 m³, indicating significant spare capacity for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Hérault River system. The region is characterized by karstic geology and Mediterranean climate, with seasonal rainfall patterns that can affect river flows. The advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient loading into downstream water bodies, supporting the ecological health of the Hérault basin and the coastal marine environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Hérault River basin, which flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea near Agde. The Hérault watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species such as eels and lampreys. The advanced treatment level reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in the coastal lagoon systems of the Languedoc region, which are ecologically sensitive and support important bird habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The SUMENE plant is located in Sumène, a commune in the Gard department of Occitanie, southern France. Its address is Voie Verte Sumène-Ganges, Sumène, Le Vigan, Gard, Occitanie, 30440, France.
The plant serves approximately 2,053 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The plant uses advanced treatment processes, which include nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) beyond standard secondary treatment. This ensures high-quality effluent discharge.
The treated effluent flows into the Hérault River basin, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The advanced treatment helps protect the downstream aquatic ecosystem.
As a French plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations, secondary treatment is required, but SUMENE provides advanced treatment, exceeding the minimum standards.
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