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

Forel Pigeon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Forel (Lavaux), a municipality in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The plant serves a population of 898 and is situated in the Lavaux-Oron district, near the northern shore of Lake Geneva. As a small agglomeration, it plays a key role in protecting the local aquatic environment. The plant operates with advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Although Switzerland is not an EU member, its water protection legislation aligns with high standards, ensuring effective nutrient removal. The designed capacity is 1500 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 407.62 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), one of the largest freshwater lakes in Western Europe. From there, water flows via the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's proximity to the lake and coast underscores its importance in preventing eutrophication and safeguarding water quality for recreation and biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the catchment of Lake Geneva, a major Alpine lake that drains via the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including endemic fish species, and is a critical drinking water source for the region. Advanced treatment helps control nutrient loading, reducing the risk of algal blooms and maintaining the lake's ecological balance.