Bourton on the Water Bourton O STW - Cotswold Wastewater Treatment Plant

Bourton on the Water Bourton O STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Little Rissington, near Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It serves a population of around 6,460 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under UK and EU classifications. The plant is situated in the scenic Cotswolds region, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As a UK wastewater facility, the plant is regulated under the Water Industry Act 1991 and must comply with environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency. For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with tertiary treatment expected if the discharge is to a sensitive area. It operates within the UK's comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The treated effluent is likely discharged into a local watercourse that feeds into the River Windrush, a tributary of the River Thames. The Thames eventually flows into the North Sea. The Cotswolds region is known for its groundwater-fed rivers and diverse aquatic habitats, making proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting local ecosystems and maintaining water quality in the Thames basin.

The plant discharges into the River Windrush catchment, which flows into the River Thames and ultimately the North Sea. The Cotswolds area is characterized by limestone geology and groundwater-fed streams that support diverse aquatic life, including brown trout and other sensitive species. Protecting these waters from nutrient pollution is critical for maintaining the ecological health of the Thames basin and the downstream estuary.