Overview
Culmore wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 133,823 people in Culmore, Northern Ireland. It operates under UK regulations implementing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Culmore wastewater treatment plant is located in Culmore, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, serving a population of around 133,823. The plant is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure, managed under the regulatory framework of the United Kingdom. As a facility serving a large agglomeration (over 100,000 people), it is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which is transposed into UK law. The plant's designed capacity is 1. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local water environment, ultimately draining into the River Foyle and then into Lough Foyle, an ecologically important estuary on the north coast of Ireland. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is a key migratory corridor for salmon and eels.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the River Foyle catchment, which flows into Lough Foyle, a large estuary on the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Lough Foyle is a designated Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, supporting habitats for Atlantic salmon, otters, and various bird species. The estuary's health depends on effective wastewater treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Culmore wastewater treatment plant is located on Billy's Lane in Culmore, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, within the Derry and Strabane District.
The plant serves approximately 133,823 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the River Foyle catchment, which flows into Lough Foyle, an estuary on the north coast of Ireland.
As a UK facility, the plant operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which implement the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people.
For a large agglomeration like Culmore, the UK regulations mandate at least secondary treatment, and often tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas such as estuaries or coastal waters.
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