Overview
Ballyrickard wastewater treatment plant serves Newtownards, Northern Ireland, UK. It treats wastewater for approximately 29,883 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Ballyrickard is a wastewater treatment plant located in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. It serves a population of approximately 29,883, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coast of Strangford Lough, an important marine inlet. As a UK facility in Northern Ireland, Ballyrickard operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal. The treated effluent from Ballyrickard is discharged into Strangford Lough, a large sea lough that connects to the Irish Sea. Strangford Lough is an ecologically sensitive area supporting diverse marine life, including seals, seabirds, and various fish species. The plant plays a key role in protecting this coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
Ballyrickard discharges treated wastewater into Strangford Lough, a large sea lough on the east coast of Northern Ireland. Strangford Lough is a semi-enclosed marine body that connects to the Irish Sea via the Strangford Narrows. The lough supports a rich diversity of marine habitats, including mudflats, salt marshes, and seagrass beds, which are important for migratory birds and commercial fisheries. The plant's discharge must comply with nutrient and pathogen limits to protect this sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
Ballyrickard wastewater treatment plant is located in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, near the shores of Strangford Lough.
Ballyrickard serves approximately 29,883 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
Ballyrickard discharges treated effluent into Strangford Lough, a coastal sea lough that connects to the Irish Sea. The discharge is regulated under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
As a UK plant in Northern Ireland, Ballyrickard operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges to coastal waters from agglomerations over 10,000 people.
For UK plants serving around 30,000 people discharging to coastal waters, secondary treatment is typically required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
Nearby plants