Overview
Vallon Pont d'Arc II is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 28,860 people in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Vallon Pont d'Arc II is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, a commune in the Ardèche department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeastern France. The plant serves a population of approximately 28,860, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a French plant serving over 10,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For agglomerations of this size, the directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, such as those subject to eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ardèche River and then the Rhône River, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The Ardèche River is known for its scenic gorges and supports diverse aquatic life, making proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ardèche River basin, a tributary of the Rhône River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Ardèche River is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic species and providing important habitat. Downstream, the Rhône River delta and the Mediterranean coastal zone are areas of high ecological value, where nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication. The plant's treatment level is critical to minimizing such impacts.
Frequently asked questions
Vallon Pont d'Arc II is located in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, a commune in the Ardèche department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, southeastern France. The address is Chemin du Pont Romain, La Combe, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
The plant serves approximately 28,860 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Ardèche River, a tributary of the Rhône River, ultimately reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
As a French wastewater treatment plant serving over 10,000 people, Vallon Pont d'Arc II operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, if needed, tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For agglomerations of this size, French plants typically provide secondary biological treatment. If the receiving water body is sensitive to eutrophication, additional nutrient removal may be required under the EU directive.
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