RAUNDS STW: Wastewater Treatment Plant in Raunds, North Northamptonshire, England

RAUNDS STW is a wastewater treatment plant located on Meadow Lane in Warth Park, Raunds, North Northamptonshire, England. It serves a population of around 11,173 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK regulations. As a UK wastewater facility, RAUNDS STW operates under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is regulated by the Environment Agency. For a population of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving water is sensitive. It is expected to meet the standards set by the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. The treated effluent from RAUNDS STW is discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the River Nene, which eventually drains into The Wash, a large estuary on the east coast of England. The River Nene supports diverse aquatic life and is an important habitat for fish and bird species, making the plant's discharge quality crucial for maintaining ecological health.

RAUNDS STW discharges into a tributary of the River Nene, which flows eastward through Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire before entering The Wash, a major estuary and ecologically sensitive area. The Wash supports important bird populations and marine life, and the river system provides habitat for species such as brown trout and European eel. The plant's location inland, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge quality affects the freshwater ecosystem and downstream estuarine environment.