Overview
STEP LA SCIE is a secondary treatment plant serving Bourrignon, Switzerland. It treats wastewater for 121 people with a designed capacity of 283 m³/day.
STEP LA SCIE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bourrignon, in the Jura canton of Switzerland. The plant serves a small population of 121 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It operates under Swiss water protection regulations, which align with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for small agglomerations. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 283 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 54.93 m³/day, the facility has ample capacity for its service area. Swiss regulations require effective treatment to protect sensitive water bodies, and secondary treatment meets these standards for small communities. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Rhine River basin, ultimately reaching the North Sea. The Jura region is known for its karst landscapes and groundwater resources, making proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting local streams and drinking water supplies. The plant contributes to maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into small streams in the Jura region, which flow into the Birs River, a tributary of the Rhine. The Rhine basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a major European waterway. The Jura's karst geology means groundwater is vulnerable to contamination, so effective treatment is critical for protecting local springs and wells.
Frequently asked questions
STEP LA SCIE is located in Bourrignon, in the Jura canton of Switzerland, near the border with France.
The plant serves a small population of 121 residents, typical for a rural community in the Jura region.
The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Birs River, a tributary of the Rhine River, which flows to the North Sea.
STEP LA SCIE provides secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting Swiss standards for small agglomerations.
Switzerland's water protection law requires effective treatment for all discharges. For small plants like STEP LA SCIE, secondary treatment is standard to protect sensitive karst groundwater and downstream ecosystems.
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