CROSTON STW - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Croston, Chorley, Lancashire

CROSTON STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Meadow Lane in Croston, near Chorley, Lancashire, England. It serves a population of around 22,067, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local river system, which ultimately drains into the Irish Sea via the River Ribble. As a UK wastewater facility, CROSTON STW is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. For a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified; this likely refers to a flow-based capacity in megaliters per day or similar. The plant's discharge contributes to the water quality of the River Yarrow, a tributary of the River Ribble. The Ribble catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout. Proper treatment at CROSTON STW helps protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, supporting the ecological health of the Ribble estuary and the Irish Sea.

CROSTON STW discharges into the River Yarrow, a tributary of the River Ribble, which flows into the Irish Sea via the Ribble Estuary. The Ribble catchment is an ecologically sensitive area supporting diverse aquatic habitats and migratory fish species. The plant's treatment performance is critical to maintaining water quality in this important river system, which is used for recreation and supports a variety of wildlife.