Overview
Villepreux wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 37,600 people in the Île-de-France region. The facility operates under France's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Villepreux wastewater treatment plant is located in the commune of Villepreux, within the Yvelines department of the Île-de-France region, near Versailles. It serves a population of around 37,600, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet national standards set by the French water agencies. The treated effluent from Villepreux is discharged into local watercourses that eventually flow into the Seine River basin. The Seine River drains into the English Channel, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting the regional water quality and the downstream environment.
Environmental context
The Villepreux plant discharges into the Seine River basin, which flows through Paris and eventually reaches the English Channel. The Seine supports a variety of fish species and is an important ecological corridor. Downstream areas include estuarine habitats that are sensitive to nutrient pollution, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Villepreux, in the Yvelines department of the Île-de-France region, near Versailles, France.
The plant serves approximately 37,600 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Seine River basin, ultimately flowing into the English Channel.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations of this size (over 15,000 population equivalent) require secondary treatment, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
In France, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge, to meet national standards derived from the EU directive.
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