BOSHAM STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bosham, Chichester

BOSHAM STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Smugglers Lane in Bosham, a village near Chichester in West Sussex, England. It serves a population of approximately 3,891 people and operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for discharges into coastal waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,891 m³/day and currently treats an average daily flow of 866.27 m³/day. As a secondary treatment facility, BOSHAM STW uses biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant is situated within 10 km of the coast, placing it in a sensitive coastal zone where treatment standards are designed to protect marine water quality. Under UK regulations, which align with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, secondary treatment is mandatory for discharges into coastal waters from agglomerations of this size. The treated effluent from BOSHAM STW is discharged into the coastal waters of the English Channel via the local drainage system. This area supports diverse marine life and is part of the Chichester Harbour, an ecologically important estuary that provides habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The plant plays a key role in protecting this sensitive coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The treated effluent from BOSHAM STW discharges into the coastal waters of the English Channel, specifically into the Chichester Harbour area. This estuary is a vital habitat for migratory birds and supports a rich diversity of marine life, including seagrass beds and shellfish populations. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in these sensitive coastal waters.