Overview
Killyleagh wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 8,000 people in County Down, Northern Ireland. The facility discharges treated effluent into the Irish Sea via local watercourses.
Killyleagh wastewater treatment plant is located on Seaside Road in the town of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. The facility serves a population of approximately 8,000 residents and is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure managed under UK and Northern Ireland environmental regulations. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, Killyleagh is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which remains applicable in Northern Ireland post-Brexit. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or equivalent), supporting the local community's wastewater needs. The treated effluent from Killyleagh ultimately discharges into the Irish Sea, a sensitive marine environment. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in Strangford Lough and the surrounding coastal ecosystem, which supports diverse marine life and is an important area for migratory birds.
Environmental context
Killyleagh lies within the catchment of Strangford Lough, a large sea inlet connected to the Irish Sea. The plant's discharge contributes to the nutrient and water quality dynamics of this coastal environment. Strangford Lough is ecologically significant, supporting diverse marine habitats and serving as a key site for waterfowl and wading birds. The plant's operation helps mitigate nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological balance of the lough and downstream coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
Killyleagh wastewater treatment plant is located at 10 Seaside Road, Killyleagh, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Northern Ireland, BT30 9RX, United Kingdom.
The plant serves approximately 8,072 people in the town of Killyleagh and surrounding areas in County Down.
The treated effluent from Killyleagh is discharged into local watercourses that flow into Strangford Lough and eventually the Irish Sea.
As a plant in Northern Ireland, Killyleagh operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant is also subject to UK and Northern Ireland environmental regulations.
Plants serving approximately 8,000 people in the UK are typically classified as medium agglomerations and are required to provide secondary treatment under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
Nearby plants