EAST COKER STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in East Coker, Somerset

EAST COKER STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in North Coker, East Coker, Somerset, England. It serves a population of approximately 3,445 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK wastewater regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for inland discharges under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (now retained as UK law). With a designed capacity of 5,380 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 766.98 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating headroom for future growth. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with environmental quality standards for receiving waters. The treated effluent from EAST COKER STW ultimately drains into the River Yeo and then into the Bristol Channel via the Parrett Estuary. This catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local biodiversity. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Somerset Levels and Moors, a region of ecological significance.

EAST COKER STW discharges into local streams that feed the River Yeo, a tributary of the River Parrett. The Parrett flows into the Bristol Channel, a major estuary with important ecological functions. The Somerset Levels and Moors, downstream of the plant, are a low-lying wetland area that supports diverse birdlife and aquatic habitats. The plant's secondary treatment helps maintain water quality in this sensitive environment, reducing nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in the estuary.