FOREL_CHERCOTTAZ Wastewater Treatment Plant, Forel (Lavaux), Vaud, Switzerland

FOREL_CHERCOTTAZ is a wastewater treatment plant located in the municipality of Forel (Lavaux), in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The plant serves a small population of 160 residents and is situated near the shores of Lake Geneva, a major Alpine lake. Its advanced treatment level ensures high-quality effluent discharge. As an advanced treatment facility, FOREL_CHERCOTTAZ goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is critical for protecting the sensitive ecosystem of Lake Geneva. The plant has a designed capacity of 375 m³/day and currently discharges 72.63 m³/day of treated wastewater. Swiss wastewater plants are regulated under the Swiss Water Protection Act (Gewässerschutzgesetz), which mandates strict effluent standards for all discharges into surface waters. The treated effluent from FOREL_CHERCOTTAZ ultimately reaches Lake Geneva, which drains via the Rhône River into the Mediterranean Sea. Lake Geneva is a large, deep lake that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions of people. The advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient loading and protects the lake's water quality and ecological balance.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that feeds Lake Geneva, the largest Alpine lake in Europe. Lake Geneva is a critical freshwater resource, supporting a rich ecosystem of fish, birds, and aquatic plants. The lake's outflow, the Rhône River, flows through France and into the Mediterranean Sea. Advanced treatment at FOREL_CHERCOTTAZ reduces phosphorus and nitrogen inputs, helping to prevent eutrophication and maintain the lake's oligotrophic status.