Belmont-sur-Yverdon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vaud, Switzerland

The Belmont-sur-Yverdon wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Belmont-sur-Yverdon in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It serves a small population of 128 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated in the Jura-Nord vaudois district, near the banks of the Orbe River. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Swiss water protection regulations. With a designed capacity of 300 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 58.10 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. Swiss wastewater treatment plants are regulated by the Federal Water Protection Act (GSchG), which mandates advanced treatment for larger agglomerations but allows secondary treatment for smaller communities like Belmont-sur-Yverdon. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually flow into the Orbe River, a tributary of the Rhone. The Rhone River drains into Lake Geneva and ultimately the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local aquatic ecosystem, which supports diverse fish populations and migratory birds in the region.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds the Orbe River, a tributary of the Rhone. The Rhone flows through Lake Geneva before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The area is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a habitat for migratory birds. Secondary treatment ensures that nutrient loads are reduced, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies.