Overview
Hazel Grove STW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Hazel Grove, Greater Manchester, England, serving approximately 48,000 people. It operates under the UK's regulatory framework for wastewater treatment.
Hazel Grove STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Hazel Grove, a suburb of Stockport in Greater Manchester, England. The plant serves a population of approximately 48,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK and EU standards. It is situated inland, away from the coast, and its treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the River Mersey basin. As a plant serving over 10,000 people, Hazel Grove STW is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) transposed into UK law. This directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum for such agglomerations, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. It is expected to meet these regulatory standards to protect the receiving waters. The plant's discharge contributes to the River Mersey catchment, which flows into the Irish Sea via the Mersey Estuary. The Mersey basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. Effective treatment at Hazel Grove STW helps maintain water quality in the local streams and the broader estuary, supporting both environmental health and recreational use.
Environmental context
Hazel Grove STW discharges into local watercourses that are part of the River Mersey catchment. The Mersey flows through Greater Manchester and into the Mersey Estuary, which ultimately reaches the Irish Sea. This watershed supports a variety of fish species and migratory birds, making it an ecologically sensitive area. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Hazel Grove STW is located on Mill Lane, Offerton, in Hazel Grove, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. It serves the local community and surrounding areas.
Hazel Grove STW serves approximately 48,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that are part of the River Mersey catchment. The water eventually reaches the Mersey Estuary and the Irish Sea.
Hazel Grove STW operates under the UK's implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which mandates secondary treatment for plants serving over 10,000 people. The plant is also subject to environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency.
For agglomerations of this size, UK regulations typically require secondary treatment as a minimum. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be needed to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to protect water quality.
Nearby plants