Overview
ELY STW serves the city of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, treating wastewater for approximately 12,220 people. The plant operates under UK regulations implementing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
ELY STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, serving a population of around 12,220. Situated in the East Cambridgeshire district, the plant is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure, managed under the UK's regulatory framework. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment in line with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which the UK has transposed into national law. The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Great Ouse river system, which flows into The Wash, a large estuary and important ecological area on the east coast of England. The Wash supports diverse bird life and marine habitats, making proper treatment essential for protecting downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from ELY STW enters the Great Ouse river basin, which flows northward through the Fens and into The Wash, a major estuary and designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Wash supports extensive salt marshes, mudflats, and is a critical habitat for migratory birds and marine species. Effective wastewater treatment is vital to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain the ecological balance of this sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
ELY STW is located at Willow Walk, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, in the East Cambridgeshire district.
ELY STW serves approximately 12,220 people in the city of Ely and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent from ELY STW is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Great Ouse river system, eventually reaching The Wash estuary.
ELY STW operates under UK regulations that implement the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive mandates secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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