EAST HARLING STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Breckland, Norfolk

EAST HARLING STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Breckland, Norfolk, England, serving a population of 2,725. The facility operates secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,114 m³/day and currently discharges 606.68 m³/day of treated effluent. As a secondary treatment plant, EAST HARLING STW removes organic matter and suspended solids through biological processes, meeting the regulatory standards set by the UK Environment Agency under the Water Resources Act. The plant's discharge volume is well within its designed capacity, indicating operational headroom for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent from EAST HARLING STW is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the River Wensum and then the North Sea via the Norfolk Broads. The plant plays a key role in protecting the sensitive aquatic ecosystems of the Norfolk Broads, a region known for its diverse wildlife and recreational importance.

The treated effluent from EAST HARLING STW enters local streams that feed into the River Wensum, a chalk stream of high ecological value. The Wensum flows into the River Yare and then the Norfolk Broads, a network of shallow lakes and rivers that drain into the North Sea. The Broads support rare aquatic plants, fish, and bird species, making nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication.