BURY STW, Bury | United Kingdom Wastewater

Overview

BURY STW serves Bury, Greater Manchester, England, treating wastewater for approximately 183,355 people. The plant operates under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

BURY STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Bury, Greater Manchester, England, serving a population of around 183,355. Situated in the Irwell catchment, the plant plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater from the Bury area. As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which the UK has retained in domestic law. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the River Irwell, which flows south through Manchester to join the Manchester Ship Canal and eventually the Mersey Estuary and the Irish Sea. The Irwell supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory fish, with ongoing efforts to improve water quality through catchment management.

Environmental context

BURY STW discharges into the River Irwell, a tributary of the Manchester Ship Canal, which flows into the Mersey Estuary and the Irish Sea. The Irwell catchment is ecologically significant, supporting fish populations including salmon and trout, and is subject to water quality improvement initiatives under the Water Framework Directive.

Frequently asked questions

BURY STW is located in Bury, Greater Manchester, England, at Riverside Walk, Bury South Business Park, Blackford Bridge.

BURY STW serves approximately 183,355 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

BURY STW discharges treated effluent into the River Irwell, which flows through Greater Manchester and into the Manchester Ship Canal, ultimately reaching the Mersey Estuary and the Irish Sea.

BURY STW operates under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 15,000 people and more stringent treatment in sensitive areas.

For a plant of this scale in the UK, secondary treatment is standard, with potential tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive waters. The Environment Agency regulates permits under the Water Resources Act.