Moneyreagh Wastewater Treatment Plant, County Down, Northern Ireland

Moneyreagh wastewater treatment plant is located on Hillsborough Road in Moneyreagh, a village in the Lisburn and Castlereagh District of County Down, Northern Ireland. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,380 people and operates with advanced treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,150 cubic meters per day and treats an annual wastewater volume of 529.87 megaliters. As a facility in the United Kingdom, it operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Advanced treatment is typical for plants discharging into sensitive areas or coastal waters. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Irish Sea. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect coastal water quality. The surrounding area includes agricultural land and small settlements, making the plant important for protecting local streams and the downstream marine environment.

The plant discharges into local watercourses that flow into the Irish Sea via Strangford Lough or Belfast Lough. These coastal waters support diverse marine life, including fish, shellfish, and seabirds. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects sensitive coastal ecosystems from eutrophication.