Overview
Littlehampton and Bognor STW serves over 130,000 people in England, discharging treated wastewater into the English Channel via coastal outfalls. The plant operates under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Littlehampton and Bognor STW is a major wastewater treatment facility serving the coastal communities of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis in West Sussex, England. With a population equivalent of over 130,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under UK regulations. The plant is situated near the south coast, less than 50 km from the shoreline, and its treated effluent is discharged into the English Channel. As a large-scale treatment works, the plant is required to meet stringent effluent standards under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into UK law. This typically involves secondary treatment as a minimum, with additional nutrient removal where necessary to protect sensitive coastal waters. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00 (likely in megalitres per day or similar units), indicating a substantial infrastructure investment. The receiving environment is the English Channel, a busy maritime zone and important ecological area. The discharge contributes to the nutrient load in coastal waters, which can affect local marine ecosystems, including algal blooms and impacts on shellfish waters. The plant's performance is critical to maintaining bathing water quality at nearby beaches, which are popular tourist destinations.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the English Channel, which receives flows from numerous rivers along the Sussex coast. The channel is a dynamic marine environment supporting diverse habitats, including chalk reefs and seagrass beds. Nutrient inputs from treated wastewater can influence local water quality, particularly in shallow coastal zones where dilution is limited. The area is ecologically sensitive, hosting important bird populations and marine species.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in West Sussex, England, serving the towns of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis along the south coast.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 130,191 people.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the English Channel via coastal outfalls, likely with marine treatment to meet bathing water standards.
The plant operates under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, requiring secondary treatment and nutrient removal for large coastal agglomerations.
Plants of this scale in England typically employ secondary biological treatment (e. g. , activated sludge) with tertiary polishing and UV disinfection to meet strict environmental permits.
Nearby plants