Overview
FAILSWORTH STW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 21,703 people in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, England. It operates under the UK's regulatory framework for wastewater treatment.
FAILSWORTH STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Green Lane in Failsworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. It serves a population of around 21,703, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under UK and EU classifications. The plant is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure managed by United Utilities, the water and sewerage company for North West England. As a plant serving a medium-sized community, FAILSWORTH STW is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which is transposed into UK law. Typical plants of this scale employ biological treatment stages to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge. The treated effluent from FAILSWORTH STW is discharged into the local water environment, likely into the River Medlock or a tributary of the River Irwell, which flows into the Manchester Ship Canal and eventually the Irish Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of these water bodies and supporting aquatic life in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Medlock catchment, part of the River Irwell basin, which flows into the Manchester Ship Canal and then the Irish Sea. This watercourse supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity. The area is urbanized, and the plant helps mitigate pollution from domestic and industrial sources, contributing to the ecological health of the downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
FAILSWORTH STW is located on Green Lane in Failsworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
FAILSWORTH STW serves approximately 21,703 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water environment, likely into the River Medlock or a tributary of the River Irwell, which flows to the Manchester Ship Canal and the Irish Sea.
As a UK plant, FAILSWORTH STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) transposed into UK law, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge.
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