Overview
ELMSWELL STW is a wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 6,466 people in Elmswell, Mid Suffolk, England. It operates under the UK's water quality regulations and discharges into the local water environment.
ELMSWELL STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Kiln Lane in Elmswell, within the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. The facility serves a population of around 6,466 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under UK regulatory frameworks. As part of the United Kingdom's wastewater infrastructure, the plant is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive into national law. For a facility of this scale, typical treatment includes secondary biological treatment to meet consent conditions set by the Environment Agency. The UK regulatory framework requires that discharges from such plants comply with standards for biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and ammonia, ensuring protection of receiving waters. The treated effluent from ELMSWELL STW ultimately discharges into the River Gipping or a tributary, which flows through Suffolk and into the North Sea via the Orwell Estuary. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the broader Anglian river basin district. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this region, which includes agricultural and rural landscapes.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from ELMSWELL STW discharges into the River Gipping catchment, which flows southeast through Suffolk and into the Orwell Estuary, eventually reaching the North Sea. This watershed supports a mix of agricultural land and semi-natural habitats, and the river provides important ecological connectivity for fish and invertebrates. The plant's discharge is regulated to protect water quality in this sensitive lowland river system.
Frequently asked questions
ELMSWELL STW is located on Kiln Lane in Elmswell, within the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England, United Kingdom.
ELMSWELL STW serves approximately 6,466 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under UK wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent from ELMSWELL STW is discharged into the River Gipping catchment, which flows through Suffolk and into the Orwell Estuary, ultimately reaching the North Sea.
ELMSWELL STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations, which implement the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Discharge permits are issued by the Environment Agency, setting limits on pollutants like BOD, suspended solids, and ammonia.
For a plant of this scale in the UK, secondary biological treatment is standard, often involving activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by settlement. This ensures compliance with consent conditions to protect receiving water bodies.
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