Vernon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saint-Marcel, Normandy

The Vernon wastewater treatment plant is located in Saint-Marcel, in the Normandy region of France. It serves a population of approximately 28,933 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 10,000 and 150,000. For plants serving around 29,000 people, secondary treatment is the standard, with tertiary treatment required if the receiving water body is designated as sensitive. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards. The plant's discharge ultimately flows into the Seine River basin, which drains into the English Channel. The Seine River and its estuary support diverse aquatic life and are important for migratory fish species. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in this ecologically significant watershed, which is subject to strict environmental regulations under the EU Water Framework Directive.

The Vernon plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watercourse, which is part of the Seine River basin. The Seine flows through Normandy and into the English Channel, supporting a variety of aquatic habitats. The estuary is an important ecological zone for fish migration and birdlife, and the plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this sensitive downstream environment.