Burford Oxon STW: Secondary Wastewater Treatment in West Oxfordshire, England

Burford Oxon STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in West Oxfordshire, England, serving the historic town of Burford. The plant provides secondary treatment for a population of approximately 2,200 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for this small community. As a secondary treatment facility, Burford Oxon STW meets the standard requirements under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000 discharging into freshwater. The plant's designed capacity of 2,370 cubic meters per day indicates it is sized appropriately for its service area. The treated effluent from Burford Oxon STW is discharged into the local water environment, ultimately contributing to the River Windrush, a tributary of the River Thames. The River Windrush flows through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing recreational value. The plant's operations help protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system.

Burford Oxon STW discharges into the River Windrush, which flows southeast to join the River Thames near Newbridge. The River Windrush is a classic Cotswold stream supporting brown trout, grayling, and other freshwater species. The Thames downstream is a major river system providing drinking water and supporting diverse ecosystems. The plant's secondary treatment helps maintain water quality in this sensitive chalk stream environment.