Overview
TOURBES wastewater treatment plant serves the commune of Tourbes in Occitanie, France. It provides secondary treatment for a population of 2,000 with a designed capacity of 2,200 m³/day.
The TOURBES wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Tourbes, within the Hérault department of Occitanie, southern France. It serves a population of approximately 2,000 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility typical of rural French communities. The plant is situated near the D 39E5 road, east of Béziers. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 2,200 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 356.80 m³/day, indicating operational capacity well within design limits. As a French plant, it operates under national regulations transposing the EU directive, with permits issued by the local water agency (Agence de l'Eau). The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually flows into the Mediterranean Sea via the Hérault River or coastal lagoons. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's aquatic ecosystems and groundwater resources, which support agriculture and tourism in the Languedoc area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Hérault River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Agde. The downstream environment includes coastal lagoons and wetlands that support diverse aquatic life, including fish and migratory birds. The region's Mediterranean climate means summer low flows can concentrate pollutants, making effective treatment critical for maintaining water quality in the river and coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The TOURBES plant is located in the commune of Tourbes, in the Hérault department of Occitanie, southern France. Its address is D 39E5, Tourbes, Béziers, Hérault, Occitanie, 34120.
The plant serves approximately 2,000 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that is part of the Hérault River basin, eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size.
As a French facility, it operates under national laws transposing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations like Tourbes, secondary treatment is mandatory, and permits are issued by the local water agency.
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