MATADOR Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kourou, French Guiana

The MATADOR wastewater treatment plant is located in Kourou, French Guiana, serving a small population of 290 residents. Situated in the coastal region of Guyane, the plant is part of the municipal infrastructure for the city of Kourou, which is known for its space center and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of effluent quality before discharge. With a designed capacity of 300 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 51.74 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a facility in French Guiana, an overseas department of France, it falls under French and European Union wastewater regulations, including the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates appropriate treatment for sensitive coastal areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life and is ecologically sensitive. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the receiving waters from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, contributing to the health of the marine ecosystem.

The MATADOR plant discharges into the coastal waters of French Guiana, which flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The region's watershed includes rivers like the Kourou River, which empties into the Atlantic. The coastal zone supports mangroves, estuaries, and marine habitats that are important for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. Advanced treatment minimizes the impact on these sensitive ecosystems.