Little Marlow STW - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Buckinghamshire, England

Little Marlow STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Buckinghamshire, England, serving a population of approximately 164,000. The facility is part of the UK's wastewater infrastructure, which is regulated under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into UK law. As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment required if discharging into sensitive areas. However, under the regulatory framework, plants of this scale typically employ advanced treatment technologies to meet stringent effluent standards. The UK Environment Agency oversees compliance with discharge permits, ensuring that treated wastewater meets environmental quality standards before release. Treated effluent from Little Marlow STW likely discharges into the River Thames catchment, which flows through southern England into the North Sea. The Thames basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in this major river system and its downstream estuary.

Little Marlow STW discharges into the River Thames catchment, which drains into the Thames Estuary and the North Sea. The Thames basin is a vital freshwater ecosystem supporting fish, invertebrates, and bird species. Downstream, the estuary provides critical habitat for migratory birds and marine life. The plant's treatment performance is crucial for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system.