Overview
NEWCASTLE Howdon STW serves approximately 940,000 people in North Tyneside, England. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the River Tyne estuary, which flows into the North Sea.
NEWCASTLE Howdon STW is a major wastewater treatment facility located in North Tyneside, England, serving a population of around 940,000. Situated on the north bank of the River Tyne, it is one of the largest treatment plants in the North East of England, providing essential sanitation for the Newcastle upon Tyne metropolitan area. As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. Given its coastal discharge location, the plant likely incorporates advanced treatment to meet sensitive area standards, protecting the marine environment of the North Sea. The treated effluent is discharged into the River Tyne estuary, which flows into the North Sea. The estuary supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for salmon and sea trout. The plant plays a critical role in maintaining water quality in the Tyne catchment and the wider North Sea ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Tyne estuary, which flows into the North Sea. The Tyne estuary is a dynamic environment supporting diverse fish populations, including Atlantic salmon and European eel. The North Sea is a productive marine ecosystem, and the plant's treatment standards help protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
NEWCASTLE Howdon STW is located at Northumberland Dock Road, Percy Main, North Shields, North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England.
The plant serves approximately 940,000 people, making it one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the North East of England.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the River Tyne estuary, which flows into the North Sea.
As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment and, for sensitive coastal areas, tertiary treatment to protect the marine environment.
Plants of this scale in the UK typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) to meet strict discharge standards, especially when discharging into sensitive coastal waters like the North Sea.
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