Burghfield Burghfield Berks STW - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Burghfield, England

Burghfield Burghfield Berks STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Sulhamstead Road in Burghfield, West Berkshire, England. The facility serves a population of around 6,870, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under UK and EU standards. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and its operations are integral to local sanitation and environmental protection. As a UK wastewater treatment plant, Burghfield Burghfield Berks STW is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) into national law. For agglomerations of this size, the regulations typically require secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The plant's discharge is likely regulated by the Environment Agency under a permit that sets limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into a local watercourse, which ultimately drains into the River Thames catchment and then into the North Sea. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the Thames Basin, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems. Its operation helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects the ecological health of the region's rivers and estuaries.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that flows into the River Thames catchment, which drains into the North Sea. The Thames Basin supports diverse aquatic habitats and is an important ecological corridor for fish and bird species. The plant's treatment processes help control nutrient loads, reducing the risk of eutrophication in downstream waters and contributing to the overall health of the North Sea ecosystem.