FAIRFORD FAIRFORD GLOS STW, Cotswold

Overview

FAIRFORD FAIRFORD GLOS STW is a secondary treatment plant in Cotswold, England, serving approximately 4,360 people. It discharges treated wastewater into the local water environment.

FAIRFORD FAIRFORD GLOS STW is a wastewater treatment plant located at RAF Fairford Domestic Site in Cotswold, Gloucestershire, England. It serves a population of around 4,360 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,486 cubic meters per day and reports a discharge volume of approximately 971 cubic meters per day, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into the local catchment, which ultimately drains into the River Thames via the River Coln and the Thames Basin. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Cotswolds region.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the River Coln, a tributary of the River Thames, which flows through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Thames Basin supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Downstream, the Thames estuary is a major ecological and economic resource, making effective wastewater treatment critical for water quality.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at RAF Fairford Domestic Site, Horcott Road, Fairford, Cotswold, Gloucestershire, England, GL7 4RB, United Kingdom.

The plant serves approximately 4,360 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU and UK wastewater regulations.

The treated effluent is discharged into the River Coln, a tributary of the River Thames, which flows through the Cotswolds region.

The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for inland discharges from agglomerations of this size.

As a UK plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (transposed into UK law) and is subject to Environment Agency permitting and monitoring.