Overview
EXETER STW serves approximately 153,000 people in Exeter, England, as part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
EXETER STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Exeter, Devon, England, serving a population of around 153,000. The facility is situated near the River Exe estuary and plays a key role in managing wastewater from the city and surrounding areas. As a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment required if discharging into sensitive areas. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar units), indicating a substantial facility. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the River Exe, which flows into the Exe Estuary and then into the English Channel. The estuary is an ecologically important site supporting diverse birdlife and marine habitats. The plant's operations are critical for protecting water quality in this sensitive coastal environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Exe, which flows into the Exe Estuary, a large ria estuary that opens into the English Channel. The estuary supports a rich ecosystem, including migratory birds and fish, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The plant's treatment performance directly affects water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.
Frequently asked questions
EXETER STW is located in Exeter, Devon, England, near the River Exe estuary. The address is 56 Wear Barton Road, Countess Wear, Exeter.
EXETER STW serves approximately 153,000 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Treated wastewater from EXETER STW is discharged into the River Exe, which flows into the Exe Estuary and then into the English Channel.
As a UK plant, EXETER STW operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for large agglomerations and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For plants of this scale in the UK, secondary treatment is standard, with tertiary treatment often required to meet stringent environmental standards, especially when discharging into sensitive estuaries like the Exe.
Nearby plants