Overview
PORTHMADOG STW serves the Welsh town of Porthmadog, treating wastewater for approximately 4,819 people. The plant is located near the coast in Gwynedd, Wales, within 50 km of the sea.
PORTHMADOG STW is a wastewater treatment plant serving the town of Porthmadog in Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom. The facility treats sewage from a population equivalent of around 4,819, placing it in the small agglomeration category under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the sea, and its operations are subject to environmental regulations aimed at protecting coastal waters. As a small-scale treatment plant in the United Kingdom, PORTHMADOG STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which transpose the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) into national law. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00, likely in megaliters per day or similar units, indicating a modest scale. The treated effluent from PORTHMADOG STW is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Irish Sea via the Glaslyn or Dwyryd estuary system. The area supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a region known for its ecological sensitivity, including important habitats for migratory birds and marine species. The plant's performance is critical to maintaining water quality in the nearby coastal and estuarine ecosystems.
Environmental context
PORTHMADOG STW discharges treated wastewater into the local catchment, which drains into the Glaslyn or Dwyryd estuary and then into Cardigan Bay, part of the Irish Sea. This coastal region supports diverse marine life, including seabird colonies and fish populations, and is ecologically sensitive due to its role as a migratory corridor and nursery habitat. The plant's proximity to the coast necessitates careful management to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
PORTHMADOG STW is located in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom, near the coast of Cardigan Bay.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 4,819 people.
Treated effluent from PORTHMADOG STW is discharged into the local catchment, which flows into the Glaslyn or Dwyryd estuary and ultimately into Cardigan Bay in the Irish Sea.
As a UK plant, PORTHMADOG STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, implementing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required.
Under UK regulations, wastewater treatment plants serving populations between 2,000 and 10,000 are generally required to provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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