Overview
THORIGNE LES QUATRES CHEMINS is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Aigondigné, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, serving a population of 2,380. It discharges 424.59 m³/day of treated effluent.
THORIGNE LES QUATRES CHEMINS is a wastewater treatment plant located in the commune of Aigondigné, within the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,380 residents and has a designed capacity of 3,300 m³/day, with an average daily discharge volume of 424.59 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. This level of treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters. As a French facility, it operates under national regulations transposing the directive, with oversight from the local water agency (Agence de l'Eau). The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Sèvre Niortaise river and the Marais Poitevin, a vast wetland area of ecological importance. The advanced treatment helps safeguard this downstream environment, which supports diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sèvre Niortaise basin, which flows through the Marais Poitevin, one of France's largest wetlands and an important ecological corridor. This region supports a rich diversity of bird species, fish, and plant life, and is a key stopover for migratory birds. The advanced treatment ensures that nutrient loads are minimized, protecting the sensitive wetland ecosystem from eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Aigondigné, in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, near the town of Thorigné.
The plant serves approximately 2,380 residents in the Aigondigné area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Sèvre Niortaise river and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Marais Poitevin wetlands.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal beyond secondary treatment, in line with EU standards for sensitive areas.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into French law. For agglomerations of this size, advanced treatment is required in sensitive catchments like the Marais Poitevin.
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