Overview
Villeneuve-sur-Lot Massanes wastewater treatment plant serves 41,000 people in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It discharges into the Lot River, a tributary of the Garonne, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
The Villeneuve-sur-Lot Massanes wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, in the Lot-et-Garonne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. It serves a population of approximately 41,000, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under French and EU regulations. As a French wastewater facility serving over 10,000 people, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum for such agglomerations. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated to reduce nutrient loads. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national and EU standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Lot River, which flows westward to join the Garonne near Aiguillon. The Garonne then continues to the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Lot River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lot River, a major tributary of the Garonne River. The Garonne flows into the Gironde estuary, one of the largest estuaries in Europe, before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Lot River supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as salmon and lamprey. Nutrient management is critical to prevent eutrophication in the downstream Garonne and estuary.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Route de Casseneuil, in the Marot-Massènes area of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
The plant serves approximately 41,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Lot River, which flows into the Garonne River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gironde estuary.
As a French facility serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 people are required to have at least secondary treatment. In sensitive catchments like the Garonne basin, tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal may be required.
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