ISLEHAM STW - Secondary Treatment Plant in West Suffolk, England

ISLEHAM STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in West Suffolk, Suffolk, England, serving a population of approximately 2,173. The facility is situated near the River Lark, a tributary of the Great Ouse, and operates under the regulatory framework of the UK Environment Agency. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (transposed into UK law) for agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 2,173 population equivalent, and it treats an average daily flow of 483.79 cubic meters. The treated effluent is discharged into the River Lark, which flows into the Great Ouse and eventually reaches The Wash, an ecologically important estuary on the North Sea coast. The Wash supports diverse birdlife and marine habitats, making the plant's role in maintaining water quality critical for downstream ecosystems.

ISLEHAM STW discharges into the River Lark, a tributary of the Great Ouse, which flows into The Wash, a large estuary on the North Sea coast. The Wash is a vital habitat for migratory birds and supports diverse aquatic life. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollutants, protecting the ecological balance of this sensitive downstream environment.