Overview
DAWLISH STW serves approximately 21,281 people in Teignbridge, England, discharging treated wastewater into the local environment near the Dawlish Warren area.
DAWLISH STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Teignbridge, Devon, England, serving a population of around 21,281. The facility is situated near the coast at Dawlish Warren, a popular tourist destination. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant plays a key role in managing wastewater from the local community. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which the UK implemented prior to Brexit, agglomerations of this size (between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent) are generally required to have secondary treatment. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megalitres per day or similar unit), indicating it is sized to handle the local load. The plant operates within the UK's regulatory framework under the Environment Agency. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water environment, which ultimately drains into the English Channel. The Dawlish Warren area is an ecologically sensitive coastal zone, supporting diverse birdlife and marine habitats. The plant's discharge must comply with environmental permits to protect the nearby Exe Estuary and coastal waters.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the local drainage network near Dawlish Warren, which flows into the Exe Estuary and then the English Channel. The Exe Estuary is a site of ecological importance, supporting a variety of bird species and marine life. The coastal environment is sensitive to nutrient inputs, making effective treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
DAWLISH STW is located at Langstone Rock, Dawlish, in the Teignbridge district of Devon, England, near the Dawlish Warren coastal area.
The plant serves approximately 21,281 people in the Teignbridge area, including the town of Dawlish and surrounding communities.
Treated wastewater from DAWLISH STW is discharged into the local water environment, which drains into the Exe Estuary and ultimately the English Channel.
The plant operates under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The Environment Agency regulates discharges through environmental permits.
For a population of around 21,000, secondary treatment is typically required under UK regulations. This involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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