Court action against France over inadequate waste waster treatment

The European Commission has been concerned for several years by France's failure to put in place proper protection for its citizens and the environment by ensuring waste water is correctly collected and treated. Some 60 large cities and towns currently have waste water collection and treatment systems which do not meet the standards required under the directive.

According to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 1 , France had to put systems in place for collecting and treating waste water in urban settlements of more than 15,000 inhabitants located in non-sensitive areas, before 31 December 2000.

A first warning letter was sent to France on 9 July 2004 after information provided by France showed that a considerable number of agglomerations did not conform to the directive and that in others, adequate infrastructure was not in place. A second and final warning was sent to France on 10 December 2008.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

September 2009

French authorities have been having a rethink about solving the problems with the amount of sewage treatments Assainissement Non Collective (sewage systems which do not drain into mains drainage)which do not conform, and the inconsistancy of replacing or upgrading these systems.

The idea is to have an approved listing of up to date products and protocols.  It will be up to the various companies of wastewater treatment products to express their interest to the assainissement authorities and regulatory bodies, and to submit their product information and technical details for scrutiny, the authorities will then decide if the product passes the criteria to be added to a list which will be used throughout France. This will enable changes to sewage treatment systems to become easier, with a better product knowledge and understanding, enabling better choice for the consumer nationwide.

A paper has been drawn up September 2009, it has been signed by the relevent ministers and authorities at a convention in Evreux, France, but it will be some months before we notice the implementation of its outcome.

_____________________________________________________________

Increasing the standards for sewage treatment plants across the

                  EU and consciously aiding the environment

  Compact'O 4 ST

The authentic COMPACT'O unit continues in the market.  The french manufacturer who have over 10 years of experience in the research and developement of sewage treatment systems, have modified the Compact'O unit and retested it in March 2009 at (PIA GmbH) Institute Aachen, Germany where it received certification. 

Conformes with NF EN 12566-3 annexe A ,B and C

CE certificated

See the product details on this site and the Certificate of performance 

________________________________________________________________

                             Balmoral Hydroclear

 a scottish company which has invested greatly in the design of wastewater treatment units, are the winners of the Scottish Innovation Award for their Hydroclear sewage treatment unit.  The company are expressing their interest to the French assainissement authorities, to list their domestic sewage treatment unit Hydroclear for use in France after its success in Brittain.  It will be a great asset to consummer choice and improving our environment.

Is has been accreditted with BS EN 12566-3 from the (PIA GmbH) Institute Aachen, Germany.

CE certificated

For future developements WATCH THIS SPACE!

________________________________________________________________

     ! IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN FRANCE !

We are proud to announce that we have been appointed distributors in France, of a number of cost effective, enviromently friendly, sewage waste treatment systems and products. 

There is no one system in the market that can solve all the problems that may occur on sites for waste water treatment units, we have tried to source different products for different problems, giving the consumer an informed choice. 

So now look no further, you can talk to English speaking people in France about these range of products, for supply, or supply and installation please contact us.

                                            Are you aware !

Throughout France a law dated 3rd January 1992 imposed a duty on all French municipalities to implement a monitoring system for all individual wastewater treatment installations (Fosse toutes eaux/septic tanks). There have been new bodies set up, eg CIDERAL, SATESE, SPANC and it is their responsibility to provide this service. A technician will contact you to make an appointment, When they come to inspect your system they will be looking for certain criteria:-

(a) that you have documents to support the installation and operation of your sewage system eg:- plan de masse, du permis de construire, notice d'installation..., previous certificates for emptying utilising approved companies.

(b) that your septic tank has been installed properly, does it conform with the approved plans

(c) the tank remains in a good condition , and access to the tank for inspection is possible

(d) the volume of the tank is correct for the number of inhabitants/usage

(e) ventilation is efficient

(f) the flow rate of the effluent is correct to encourage purification

(g) that there is no excessive accumulation of matter in the tank

(h) that the tank is functioning properly and the discharge does disperse

(i) the location of the system, ie distances to wells, boundaries and buildings The technician will give you a report which will inform you if it does/ doesn' work correctly. If the system does not work correctly or needs modification the technician will inform you of the changes needed to be made. Take advice from the professionals, if you don't it could be costly.

                                   IF IN DOUBT SEEK US OUT

                                                      Get the advice of professionals

We comprise of a team who can give you advice, initiate a full survey, design your system layout, seek all the necessary permissions with the authorities, install and provide you with all the necessary documentation.