INGATESTONE STW, Ingatestone

Overview

INGATESTONE STW serves approximately 7,155 people in Ingatestone, Essex, England. The plant operates under the UK's wastewater regulatory framework, discharging treated effluent into local watercourses.

INGATESTONE STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ingatestone, Essex, England, serving a population of around 7,155 residents. The facility is situated in the rural-urban fringe of Brentwood district, within the Thames River Basin District. As a plant serving a small agglomeration, it is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (England and Wales) 1994, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. For populations under 10,000, secondary treatment is typically required unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit), indicating a modest scale. The treated effluent from INGATESTONE STW discharges into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the River Thames estuary via the River Wid or Chelmer. This contributes to the ecological health of the Thames Basin, supporting aquatic life and downstream habitats. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in the Essex countryside.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into small tributaries of the River Wid or Chelmer, which flow into the River Thames estuary. The Thames estuary is a major ecological corridor supporting diverse fish, bird, and invertebrate species. The surrounding Essex landscape includes agricultural areas and ancient woodlands, making local water quality important for both biodiversity and human use.

Frequently asked questions

INGATESTONE STW is located on Stock Lane in Ingatestone, Essex, England, within the Brentwood district.

The plant serves approximately 7,155 people in the Ingatestone area.

The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the River Thames estuary, likely via the River Wid or Chelmer.

The plant operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (England and Wales) 1994, which require secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive.

For small agglomerations under 10,000 population equivalent, secondary treatment is standard under UK regulations, often involving biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters.