Aldeburgh STW F_E - Closed Secondary Treatment Plant in Suffolk, UK

Aldeburgh STW F_E was a wastewater treatment plant located in Slaughden, Aldeburgh, within the East Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. The facility provided secondary treatment for the local community, situated on the North Sea coast. Its designed capacity was 5,162 cubic meters per day, reflecting the scale of the coastal settlement it served. As a secondary treatment plant, Aldeburgh STW F_E met the standard requirements under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary biological treatment for discharges to coastal waters. The plant's closure may reflect upgrades or consolidation of wastewater infrastructure in the area, common in small coastal communities where environmental standards have tightened. The plant discharged treated effluent into the North Sea, a sensitive marine environment. The Suffolk coast supports diverse marine life and is an important area for migratory birds. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to protect water quality and the ecological health of the coastal zone, including nearby designated bathing waters and shellfish waters.

The plant discharged into the North Sea, which receives drainage from the Suffolk coastal plain. The coastal waters support a range of marine species and are used for recreation and fisheries. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality and protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and pathogens.