Mere Brow STW, West Lancashire

Overview

Mere Brow STW serves the West Lancashire area of England, treating wastewater for approximately 4,522 people. The plant operates under UK regulations, discharging treated effluent into local waterways.

Mere Brow STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in the village of Mere Brow, near Tarleton in West Lancashire, England. It serves a population of around 4,522 residents, providing essential sanitation services to this rural community in Lancashire. As a UK wastewater facility, it operates under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is subject to environmental permitting by the Environment Agency, which sets discharge consents to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Mere Brow STW discharges into local watercourses that drain into the River Douglas, which flows into the Ribble Estuary and eventually the Irish Sea. The surrounding area includes agricultural land and the Ribble Estuary, an ecologically important habitat for birds and aquatic life.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the River Douglas catchment, which flows into the Ribble Estuary, a major coastal wetland supporting diverse bird species and fish populations. The estuary is part of the Irish Sea basin, and the area is sensitive to nutrient pollution from agricultural and wastewater sources. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge can influence coastal water quality.

Frequently asked questions

Mere Brow STW is located at Mere Brow Lane, Holmes, Tarleton, in West Lancashire, Lancashire, England, PR4 6JP, United Kingdom.

The plant serves approximately 4,522 people in the West Lancashire area.

The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the River Douglas, which drains into the Ribble Estuary and the Irish Sea.

As a UK wastewater plant, it operates under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is regulated by the Environment Agency, which issues discharge consents to ensure compliance with water quality standards.

For a small agglomeration of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under UK regulations, often involving biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by settlement.