Overview
Linlithgow WWTW serves approximately 13,951 people in Whitecross, Scotland. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
Linlithgow WWTW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Whitecross, near Linlithgow, in the Falkirk council area of Scotland, United Kingdom. The facility serves a population of approximately 13,951 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification standards. As a plant in Scotland, Linlithgow WWTW operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent discharging into freshwater or estuaries. The treated effluent from Linlithgow WWTW is discharged into the local water environment, which ultimately drains into the Firth of Forth via the River Avon. The Firth of Forth is a major estuary and important ecological area, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge contributes to the overall water quality in this sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Environmental context
The treated wastewater from Linlithgow WWTW enters the River Avon, which flows into the Firth of Forth, a major estuary on Scotland's east coast. The Firth of Forth is an ecologically significant water body that supports diverse marine life, including seals, porpoises, and numerous fish species, as well as important bird populations. The plant's discharge must meet quality standards to protect this downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
Linlithgow WWTW is located in Whitecross, near Linlithgow, in the Falkirk council area of Scotland, United Kingdom. The address is River Avon Heritage Trail, Whitecross, Falkirk, EH49 7TD.
Linlithgow WWTW serves a population of approximately 13,951 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent from Linlithgow WWTW is discharged into the River Avon, which flows into the Firth of Forth estuary. The plant must comply with discharge quality standards to protect the receiving water body.
As a Scottish plant, Linlithgow WWTW operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Compliance is enforced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are typically required to provide secondary treatment, which includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Some plants may also have tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
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