Cropthorne Heath STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Wychavon, England

Cropthorne Heath STW is a wastewater treatment plant located near Cropthorne in Wychavon, Worcestershire, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,670 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local river system. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 3,250 m³/day, with an average daily flow of 594.43 m³/day, indicating ample capacity for current loads. As a UK facility, it operates under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is regulated by the Environment Agency. The treated effluent from Cropthorne Heath STW ultimately drains into the River Avon (Warwickshire), a tributary of the River Severn, which flows into the Bristol Channel. The River Avon supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant's discharge contributes to maintaining water quality in this sensitive riverine environment.

Cropthorne Heath STW discharges into the River Avon catchment, which flows into the River Severn and eventually the Bristol Channel. The River Avon is a lowland river supporting diverse fish populations, including coarse fish and migratory species. The area is part of the Severn River Basin District, which is designated as a sensitive area under the EU Water Framework Directive, requiring nutrient removal in some cases. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect the river's ecological status.