Overview
Lagune de Sinnamary is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Sinnamary, French Guiana, serving approximately 970 people. It discharges treated wastewater near the coast and has a designed capacity of 3,500 m³/day.
Lagune de Sinnamary is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Sinnamary, within the Guyane region of French Guiana. The facility serves a small population of around 970 residents, reflecting its role in a rural coastal community. As part of France's overseas departments, the plant operates under French and European Union environmental regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 3,500 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 173.05 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth. The treatment process aligns with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000, though smaller plants may have adapted requirements. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km), the discharge may affect sensitive coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and estuarine habitats. The Sinnamary River basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Guiana Shield region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sinnamary River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of French Guiana. This coastal zone features mangrove forests and estuarine habitats that support diverse fish and bird species. The proximity to the ocean means treated effluent can influence local water quality and marine life, making proper treatment essential for preserving the ecological balance of this sensitive tropical environment.
Frequently asked questions
Lagune de Sinnamary is located in the town of Sinnamary, in the Guyane region of French Guiana, an overseas department of France. The address is Lotissement Phillipon, Sinnamary, Cayenne, Guyane, 97315, France.
The plant serves approximately 970 people, making it a small-scale municipal facility in a rural coastal area.
The plant provides secondary treatment before discharging the effluent into the local watershed, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The discharge volume averages 173.05 m³/day.
The plant treats wastewater that would otherwise enter the Sinnamary River basin, helping to protect the water quality of this coastal river system and the downstream Atlantic Ocean.
As a French facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection and treatment. For small agglomerations like Sinnamary, secondary treatment is typically required, though specific requirements may vary based on the sensitivity of the receiving waters.
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