Overview
Ballycastle wastewater treatment plant serves Ballyvoy, Northern Ireland, treating wastewater for approximately 14,000 people. It is located within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the North Atlantic via local waterways.
Ballycastle wastewater treatment plant is located in Ballyvoy, a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, within the Causeway Coast and Glens District. The plant serves a population of around 14,000, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classifications. It is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the North Atlantic Ocean. As a plant in the United Kingdom, Ballycastle operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit), indicating the plant's scale. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with discharge standards to protect the marine environment. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the North Atlantic Ocean via local streams and rivers in the Antrim coastal area. The receiving waters support diverse marine life and are part of a region known for its scenic coastline and ecological importance. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality for tourism, fisheries, and biodiversity in the sensitive coastal zone.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the North Atlantic Ocean via local watercourses in the Antrim coastal region. This area is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine habitats and species, including seabirds and fish. The coastal waters are important for local fisheries and tourism, making effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Ballycastle wastewater treatment plant is located in Ballyvoy, a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, within the Causeway Coast and Glens District.
The plant serves approximately 14,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that flow to the North Atlantic Ocean, near the Antrim coast.
As a UK plant, Ballycastle operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for discharges to coastal waters for agglomerations of this size.
For medium-sized agglomerations in the UK, secondary treatment is standard, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge.
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