ATHERSTONE STW - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Atherstone, North Warwickshire, England

ATHERSTONE STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Atherstone, North Warwickshire, Warwickshire, England. It serves a population of approximately 15,191 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into local rivers that ultimately drain into the North Sea. As a UK wastewater treatment facility, ATHERSTONE STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 1994, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size (between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent), secondary treatment is required as a minimum standard. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring that effluent quality protects the receiving water environment. The treated wastewater from ATHERSTONE STW is discharged into local watercourses that form part of the River Anker catchment, which flows into the River Tame and then the River Trent. The Trent ultimately drains into the Humber Estuary and the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this river system, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and agriculture downstream.

ATHERSTONE STW discharges into the River Anker catchment, a tributary of the River Tame, which flows into the River Trent and then the Humber Estuary. The Humber Estuary is a major ecological feature supporting migratory fish, bird populations, and diverse habitats. The plant's effluent must meet strict quality standards to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect sensitive species in this connected waterway system.