CHAVANNES LE CHENE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vaud, Switzerland

CHAVANNES LE CHENE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Chavannes-le-Chêne, a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord vaudois, Vaud, Switzerland. The plant serves a small population of 157 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and treats wastewater from the local area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage required under Swiss water protection legislation. With a designed capacity of 367 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 71.27 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. Swiss regulations mandate that all wastewater treatment plants meet stringent effluent quality standards to protect water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Rhône River basin, which flows into Lake Geneva and then the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding the water quality of these downstream environments, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Rhône River basin, ultimately reaching Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is important for regional biodiversity. The secondary treatment process helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, protecting downstream water quality in a region valued for its natural landscapes and tourism.