LAVANT STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Chichester, West Sussex

LAVANT STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Fordwater Road in East Lavant, near Chichester, West Sussex, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,364 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK wastewater management frameworks. The plant is situated within 10 km of the coast, indicating its discharge may influence coastal water quality. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process required for inland and coastal discharges under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (now retained as UK law). Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and settlement, reducing organic matter and suspended solids. The designed capacity of 2,364 cubic meters per day aligns with the population served, suggesting adequate sizing for current loads. Treated effluent from LAVANT STW likely discharges into local watercourses that drain into the English Channel near Chichester Harbour, an ecologically sensitive estuary supporting diverse birdlife and marine habitats. The plant's coastal proximity means its discharge must meet stringent environmental standards to protect bathing waters and marine ecosystems in the region.

The plant's treated effluent likely flows into the Lavant stream or nearby watercourses that drain into Chichester Harbour, a large tidal estuary on the English Channel. This harbour supports important habitats for wading birds, fish, and saltmarsh vegetation. The coastal discharge requires careful management to maintain water quality for designated bathing beaches and shellfish waters in the area.