The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a €600 million loan to finance the upgrading of the Seine Aval sewage treatment plant.

The EIB and Syndicat interdépartemental pour l’assainissement de l’agglomération parisienne SIAAP have signed a €600 million finance contract to upgrade the facilities at the Seine Aval sewage treatment plant. The objectives for Île-de-France’s public utility are twofold − performance and environmental responsibility. This contract was signed on 12 June 2013 by the EIB and SIAAP.

The upgrade at Seine Aval site in Île-de-France is a major programme of works - one of the largest sewage treatment plants in Europe responsible for cleaning the wastewater of nearly five million inhabitants – and is part of a 15-year scheme launched in 2000 to improve wastewater treatment for the whole of the Greater Paris area. The leading-edge technologies used such as biofiltration and membrane filtration will ensure high quality sewage treatment – the project also includes an extensive new nitrification / denitrification facility.

The €600 million loan granted by the EIB will be specifically geared to upgrading the sewage treatment plant with the aim of optimising wastewater treatment performance and achieving a good ecological status for the river Seine, which is classified as a sensitive area, by 2020 in accordance with the Water Framework Directive.

All new generation facilities at the Seine Aval plant (covered, pollution-free buildings, air treatment, deodorisation) will fit easily into the urban environment of the site on the banks of the Seine. The use of biogas generated by sludge digestion will be stepped up to promote the recovery of this energy source for the running of the plant.

This is a long-term loan on very favourable terms thanks to the EIB’s triple A rating. It will cover the 2013-2018 period of the project and help create several hundred jobs locally throughout the implementation phase.