STEP LA ROCHE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Haute-Sorne, Jura, Switzerland

STEP LA ROCHE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Haute-Sorne, in the Jura canton of Switzerland. It serves a small population of 164 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated in the village of Glovelier, within the Delémont district. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Swiss water protection regulations. With a designed capacity of 383.00 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 74.44 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity. Swiss wastewater treatment plants are regulated by the Federal Water Protection Act (GSchG) and the Water Protection Ordinance (GSchV), which mandate appropriate treatment levels based on receiving water sensitivity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Rhine River basin via the Birs River. The Jura region features karstic geology, making groundwater protection particularly important. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and protect downstream aquatic ecosystems in the Rhine catchment.

The plant discharges into small streams in the Jura region, which flow into the Birs River and eventually the Rhine River. The Rhine is a major European waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The karstic terrain of the Jura makes the local watershed sensitive to contamination, requiring effective treatment to protect groundwater and surface water quality.