Overview
Lowestoft STW is a wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 94,204 people in England, United Kingdom. The facility is located near the coast and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Lowestoft STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in England, United Kingdom, serving a population of approximately 94,204. The plant is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the North Sea, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the Lowestoft area. As a medium-to-large agglomeration, the plant is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The directive requires secondary treatment for discharges to coastal waters, with additional nutrient removal in sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00 (likely in megaliters per day or similar unit), supporting its population load. The treated effluent from Lowestoft STW is discharged into the North Sea via local watercourses. The North Sea is a productive marine ecosystem supporting fisheries and migratory bird populations. The plant's coastal location necessitates careful management to minimize nutrient and pollutant inputs, helping to protect water quality and marine biodiversity in the region.
Environmental context
Lowestoft STW discharges treated wastewater into the North Sea via local rivers or outfalls. The North Sea is a shallow, productive shelf sea that supports diverse marine life, including fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in coastal areas, so the plant's treatment level is important for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health in this sensitive marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
Lowestoft STW is located in England, United Kingdom, near the coast of the North Sea. Its coordinates are approximately 52.481 N, 1.778 E.
Lowestoft STW serves approximately 94,204 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the North Sea via local watercourses. As a coastal plant, it must meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Lowestoft STW operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment requirements based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. For coastal discharges, secondary treatment is typically required.
In the UK, wastewater treatment plants serving populations over 10,000 are generally required to provide secondary treatment. For coastal discharges, additional nutrient removal may be needed in sensitive areas to protect marine ecosystems.
Nearby plants