KIRKBYMOORSIDE STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire

KIRKBYMOORSIDE STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England. It serves a population of approximately 3,013 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and its operations are part of the broader water infrastructure managed by regional authorities. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland discharges from agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,282 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 670.80 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local rivers that drain into the North Sea via the River Derwent and the Humber Estuary. The receiving water bodies support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional biodiversity. The plant's operations help protect water quality in these sensitive ecosystems, contributing to the overall health of the Humber catchment.

The plant discharges into local watercourses that flow into the River Derwent, a key tributary of the Humber Estuary. The Humber Estuary is a major ecological feature supporting migratory birds, fish, and diverse habitats. The area is part of a larger watershed that drains into the North Sea, and maintaining water quality is critical for downstream ecosystems, including designated sites of conservation importance.