VERINES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Loiré, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

VERINES is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Loiré, within the commune of Vérines, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,080 and has a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 371.07 m³/day. Its proximity to the Atlantic coast places it in a sensitive coastal environment. As an advanced treatment facility, VERINES goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, meeting stringent standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size, the directive requires secondary treatment, but the plant's advanced level indicates it likely operates in a sensitive area where nutrient removal is necessary to protect coastal waters. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the local watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean near La Rochelle. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is important for tourism and fisheries. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects the ecological health of the nearby coastal waters.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near La Rochelle, a coastal area with significant ecological importance. The region supports diverse marine habitats, including seagrass beds and nursery grounds for fish, and is a key area for migratory birds. Advanced treatment at VERINES reduces nutrient and pollutant loads, helping to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in the sensitive coastal environment.