Lechlade Glos STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cotswold, England

Lechlade Glos STW is a wastewater treatment plant located near Lechlade in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,950 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK and EU frameworks. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage required for discharges into freshwater bodies under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and UK environmental regulations. With a designed capacity of 2,963 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of 656.77 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent from Lechlade Glos STW is discharged into the River Thames catchment, as the plant lies near the Thames headwaters. The River Thames flows eastward through southern England, eventually reaching the North Sea via the Thames Estuary. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical resource for water supply, recreation, and biodiversity in the region.

Lechlade Glos STW discharges into the upper River Thames, which originates nearby and flows through the Cotswolds before reaching the North Sea. The Thames supports a variety of fish species, including salmon and trout, and its floodplain provides important habitats for birds and invertebrates. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive headwater region.