Overview
USSEL wastewater treatment plant serves Mestes, France, with a population equivalent of 24,100. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The USSEL wastewater treatment plant is located in Mestes, near Ussel, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It serves a population equivalent of 24,100, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the Dordogne River system. As a French facility serving over 10,000 people, USSEL is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with potential additional nutrient removal if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's operational details, including specific treatment processes and capacity, are managed by the local authority to ensure compliance with national and EU standards. The plant's discharge contributes to the water quality of the Corrèze River basin, a tributary of the Dordogne. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a broader watershed that includes ecologically sensitive areas. Proper treatment at USSEL helps protect these water bodies from nutrient pollution and maintains the ecological balance of the region.
Environmental context
The USSEL plant discharges into the Corrèze River, a tributary of the Dordogne River, which flows westward to the Atlantic Ocean. The Dordogne basin is known for its rich biodiversity, including migratory fish species such as salmon and eels. The plant's treatment performance is critical to preventing eutrophication and maintaining water quality in this ecologically significant watershed.
Frequently asked questions
The USSEL plant is located in Mestes, near Ussel, in the Corrèze department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 24,100, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Corrèze River, a tributary of the Dordogne River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and potentially nutrient removal in sensitive areas.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated to protect water quality.
Nearby plants