Overview
Val d'Isere wastewater treatment plant serves La Daille in the French Alps, treating wastewater from a population of approximately 41,700. It operates under France's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Val d'Isere wastewater treatment plant is located in La Daille, a hamlet within the ski resort of Val-d'Isère in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Situated in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, the plant serves a population of about 41,700, which likely swells during winter tourist seasons. The plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure managed by the local authority. As a French wastewater facility serving an agglomeration between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalent, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, and for discharges to sensitive areas (such as alpine lakes or rivers), tertiary treatment may be mandated. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Isère River, a major tributary of the Rhône. The Isère flows through the Alps and eventually joins the Rhône near Valence, which then empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The alpine environment is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical water source for downstream communities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Isère River basin, which flows through the Tarentaise Valley and joins the Rhône River, ultimately reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The alpine watershed is characterized by cold, oxygen-rich waters that support sensitive species such as brown trout and the European bullhead. The region's seasonal tourism increases pollutant loads, making effective treatment essential to protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in La Daille, a hamlet within the commune of Val-d'Isère in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. The address is Chemin du Bois de la Laye, La Daille, Val-d'Isère.
The plant serves a population of approximately 41,700 people. This number likely increases during the winter ski season when the resort hosts many tourists.
Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Isère River. The Isère flows through the Alps and eventually joins the Rhône River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French wastewater facility serving an agglomeration of over 10,000 population equivalent, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, with possible tertiary treatment for discharges to sensitive alpine areas.
In France, plants serving agglomerations between 10,000 and 100,000 population equivalent are required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive to provide at least secondary treatment. For discharges to sensitive areas like alpine rivers, tertiary treatment (e.g., nutrient removal) is often required to protect water quality.
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