Builth Wells STW STW Wastewater Treatment Plant, Llanelwedd, Wales

Builth Wells STW STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Llanelwedd, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom. The plant serves a population of around 3,034 and is situated inland, away from coastal areas. It operates under the regulatory framework of the United Kingdom, which implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) through national legislation. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level required for agglomerations of this size under the directive. The designed capacity is 3,381 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 675.47 cubic meters per day, indicating operational capacity well within design limits. The plant is part of the wastewater infrastructure managed by Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru), the main water and wastewater utility for most of Wales. The treated effluent from Builth Wells STW is discharged into the River Wye catchment, a major river system that flows through Wales and England before entering the Severn Estuary. The River Wye is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and otter populations. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this ecologically important river system.

The plant discharges into the River Wye catchment, which flows southeast through Wales and England to the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel. The River Wye is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its habitats and species, including Atlantic salmon, bullhead, and lamprey. The secondary treatment provided by the plant helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, supporting the ecological health of this sensitive river system.