1. Applicable standards and regulations

The 1992 Water Act required municipalities to define a sanitation zoning plan for their territory, with zones for collective sanitation and zones for ANC. ANC is therefore compulsory and regulated for all areas not connected to a public sewage network, to treat domestic wastewater (grey and black water) from facilities serving up to 20 population equivalents (p.e.). One p.e. corresponds to a discharge of 60 g/day of BOD ₅ (biochemical oxygen demand after five days), as defined by the 1991 European directive on urban wastewater treatment. Several texts govern the ANC sector in France, including three decrees, standards and voluntary approaches highlighting manufacturers' commitments to market quality products.