Analyses carried out on the residual water at the discharge point of a waste water treatment plant at a chemical plant manufacturing a basic organic product revealed that the thresholds of the standards stipulated by prefectural order had been significantly exceeded: 7 times the authorised threshold for phenols (0.37 mg/l for 0.05 mg/l), 5 times the authorised threshold for COD (1,690 mg/l for 350 mg/l), 3 times the authorised threshold for nitrogen (110 mg/l for 32 mg/l). A few days after this pollution of the River BRENNE River, which is a tributary of the River LOIRE, was reported, the French Higher Fishing Council estimated that 80% of the fish fauna (i.e. 300 kg of fish) had disappeared over a distance of 4 km downstream of the site. The stoppage of discharges from the treatment plant into the River BRENNE was imposed until they were brought in line with the authorised standards. According to the operator, an excessive level of organic waste from the washing of chemical containers had caused the treatment plant to malfunction. The inspection authorities for classified facilities recommended that the Prefect issue an additional draft order to reinforce the daily controls and establish drum cleaning procedures.

Download the detailed report in .pdf format (305 Kb)