Industrial effluent treatment: a biological, compact, and compliant solution
Industrial wastewater
Industrial effluents, whether from the food, cosmetics, or chemical industries, vary greatly in terms of organic load (COD, BOD5), suspended solids (SS), pH, fats, and nitrogen. Their treatment requires a solution adapted to the technical and regulatory constraints of the site.
In France, any industrial activity that may have an impact on the environment is subject to the Classified Facilities for Environmental Protection (ICPE).
This classification depends directly on the nature of the industry, the type of waste (liquid or solid), and the volumes involved. These regulations distinguish between three regimes depending on the level of risk and production capacity: declaration, registration or authorization ( visible here). This classification determines the discharge thresholds to be complied with, the self-monitoring obligations, and the administrative procedures to be followed.
Faced with the limitations of conventional solutions, AZUVIA designs complete treatment systems centered around the Filter Greenhouse or SETEIA device, a compact, automated biological technology that outperforms traditional wastewater treatment plants while overcoming their drawbacks (odor containment, refined aesthetics, etc.).
Finally, AZUVIA supports its clients throughout the project, from thepreliminary study (preliminary study) to commissioning, including thedetailed design (detailed design) and implementation. Each step is designed to ensure regulatory compliance and environmental performance of the device.
ICPE & drought: a strengthened regulatory framework for manufacturers
Industries are subject to strict regulatory requirements regarding wastewater management, governed by the regime for Classified Facilities for Environmental Protection (ICPE) . This framework is based in particular on thedecree of February 2, 1998, which is still in force and was amended in 2022, requiring operators to treat their discharges in one of two ways:
- Discharge into the public sewer system, subject to compliance with the standards of the discharge agreement or prefectural decree.
- Release into the natural environment, with stricter requirements and a complete treatment obligation.
During periods of drought, prefects may activate decrees restricting water use , which impose reductions in withdrawals or suspensions of activity. Industries are then particularly exposed to the risk of disruption, unless they implement:
- A sustainable energy efficiency plan , which aims to permanently reduce consumption volumes through technical and economic studies and process changes.
- And/or reuse of treated wastewater (REUT) amounting to 20% of the volumes withdrawn.
These measures are proportionate according to four alert levels: vigilance, alert, heightened alert, and crisis. In the event of a crisis, only priority uses are guaranteed: health, public safety, drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and animal watering.
For manufacturers, this means that ICPE compliance is no longer sufficient: it is becoming strategic to anticipate restrictions by integrating treatment and reuse solutions such as those offered by AZUVIA.
Why choose Azuvia?
A single point of contact for all your industrial water needs
Choosing AZUVIA means choosing simplicity , performance , and compliance. We act as single point of contact for all water-related issues in your plant: effluent treatment, improvement of process water quality, reuse (REUT), ICPE compliance, and grant application procedures.
Customized solutions, designed and installed by our teams
AZUVIA designs and installs complete biological treatment plants tailored to your industrial requirements. Our patented technology, the Serre-Filtrante®, effectively treats wastewater, allowing it to be reused while ensuring integration into the landscape , a advanced automation , and reduction in nuisance.
We also offer filtration skids to improve water quality within the manufacturing process, either as a supplement or upstream of the main treatment.
REUT compliant – Compliance with current regulations
Treated wastewater can be reused for irrigation, cleaning, or internal uses, in accordance with the following decrees:
- The decree of December 14, 2023 relating to the conditions for the production and use of treated wastewater for watering green spaces
- The decree of December 18, 2023 relating to the conditions for the production and use of treated wastewater for crop irrigation
- And finally the decree of July 8, 2024 relating to water reused for the preparation, processing, and preservation of all foodstuffs and goods intended for human consumption in food sector businesses.
Comprehensive support, including regulatory matters
AZUVIA supports you through every stage of the project :
- APS: feasibility study, sizing, preliminary costing, coordination of soil and structural studies, preparation of building permits.
- APD: consolidation of plans, DCE, consultation with service providers, logistics planning.
- Project management: coordination of the construction site, complete installation.
- Commissioning: testing, training, operational transfer.
We assist you or take careof all ICPE and REUT procedures, in conjunction with the relevant authorities (DREAL, DRPP), to ensure that your facilitycomplies with regulations.
