ASKAM IN FURNESS STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Askam-in-Furness, England

ASKAM IN FURNESS STW (Sewage Treatment Works) serves the community of Askam-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. The plant treats wastewater from approximately 3,415 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the UK's Water Industry Act and the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,578 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 760.30 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its maximum capacity. The treatment process meets the standards required for secondary treatment under UK regulations, which mandate such treatment for inland and coastal discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant is owned and operated by United Utilities, the regional water and wastewater company for North West England. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Duddon Estuary, a tidal inlet of the Irish Sea. The Duddon Estuary is an ecologically sensitive area supporting diverse birdlife, including waders and wildfowl, and is part of the Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary complex. The discharge contributes to the overall water quality management of the estuary, which is important for local fisheries and conservation.

The plant discharges into the Duddon Estuary, which flows into the Irish Sea. The estuary is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and supports important habitats for migratory birds and marine life. The treatment plant's secondary treatment helps protect the estuary's water quality, which is vital for the local ecosystem and recreational activities such as fishing and birdwatching.