LEATHERHEAD STW - Mole Valley, Surrey Wastewater Treatment Plant

LEATHERHEAD STW is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Fetcham, near Leatherhead, in the Mole Valley district of Surrey, England. The plant serves a population of around 46,200, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under UK regulations. As a UK wastewater treatment plant, LEATHERHEAD STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. For a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate standards. The treated effluent from LEATHERHEAD STW is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the River Mole, a tributary of the River Thames. The Thames basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in southeastern England. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this densely populated region.

The plant discharges into the River Mole catchment, which flows into the River Thames and ultimately to the North Sea via the Thames Estuary. The Thames basin supports a variety of fish species, including salmon and eel, and is an important migratory route. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system.