CAYENNE LAGUNE KARFOUR POLINA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Matoury, French Guiana

CAYENNE LAGUNE KARFOUR POLINA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Matoury, near Cayenne, French Guiana. It serves a small population of 580 people and operates as part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant is situated in the coastal zone of French Guiana, an overseas department of France. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges into sensitive coastal areas. With a designed capacity of 600 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 103.47 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity. French Guiana follows French regulations, which transpose EU directives, ensuring that treatment meets environmental standards for coastal protection. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Cayenne estuary. This area supports diverse marine life, including mangroves and fish species, and is part of the broader Amazon-influenced coastal ecosystem. The plant's proximity to the coast underscores the importance of effective treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect water quality.

The plant discharges into coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Cayenne estuary, part of the Amazon-influenced Guiana Shield region. This coastal zone supports mangroves, seagrass beds, and diverse marine fauna. Effective secondary treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and protect downstream habitats, including nursery areas for fish and crustaceans.