Overview
LEICESTER STW serves approximately 642,000 people in Charnwood, England. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses within the River Soar catchment, ultimately draining to the North Sea.
LEICESTER STW is a major wastewater treatment facility serving the Charnwood area of Leicestershire, England. With a population equivalent of over 640,000, it ranks as a large agglomeration under UK and EU classifications, requiring advanced treatment to protect sensitive receiving waters. As a large-scale plant, LEICESTER STW is expected to meet stringent effluent standards under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which mandates tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The facility's treatment processes are designed to reduce nutrients and organic pollutants, ensuring compliance with environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency. The plant's treated effluent enters the River Soar, a tributary of the River Trent, which flows into the Humber Estuary and ultimately the North Sea. This catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality, particularly given the high population density and industrial activity in the East Midlands.
Environmental context
LEICESTER STW discharges into the River Soar, which flows into the River Trent and then the Humber Estuary, a major ecological and economic gateway to the North Sea. The Humber Estuary supports important bird populations and fish species, making nutrient and pollutant control critical. The plant's location in a densely populated region underscores its role in maintaining downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
LEICESTER STW is located at Fillingate, Wanlip, in the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom.
The plant serves approximately 642,099 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent from LEICESTER STW is discharged into the River Soar, which flows into the River Trent and eventually the Humber Estuary and North Sea.
As a UK plant, LEICESTER STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and is regulated by the Environment Agency, which issues permits setting discharge limits.
Plants of this scale in the UK typically employ tertiary treatment, including nutrient removal, to meet stringent standards for sensitive receiving waters like the River Soar catchment.
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