Overview
ROSSENDALE STW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 59,777 people in Rossendale, Lancashire, England. It operates under the UK's regulatory framework for wastewater treatment.
ROSSENDALE STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ewood Bridge, Rossendale, Lancashire, England. It serves a population of approximately 59,777, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under UK and EU classifications. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and discharges into local watercourses that ultimately drain to the Irish Sea. As a plant serving a population between 10,000 and 100,000, it is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which is transposed into UK law. The UK Environment Agency oversees permitting and compliance for such facilities, ensuring that treated effluent meets quality standards to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent from ROSSENDALE STW likely enters the River Irwell or its tributaries, which flow through the Irwell Valley and eventually join the River Mersey. The Mersey estuary is an ecologically important area, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations. The plant's operation contributes to maintaining water quality in this downstream environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Irwell catchment, which flows into the Manchester Ship Canal and then the Mersey Estuary. The Mersey Estuary is a vital habitat for wading birds and supports a range of fish species. Downstream, the estuary opens into Liverpool Bay in the Irish Sea, a region important for marine biodiversity. The plant's treatment helps protect these downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Frequently asked questions
ROSSENDALE STW is located at Ewood Bridge, Blackburn Road, Holme, Rossendale, Lancashire, England, BB4 6LE, United Kingdom.
ROSSENDALE STW serves approximately 59,777 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses within the River Irwell catchment, which flows into the Mersey Estuary and ultimately the Irish Sea.
As a UK plant, ROSSENDALE STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) transposed into UK law, with permitting and enforcement by the Environment Agency.
Plants serving populations between 10,000 and 100,000 in the UK are generally required to provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
Nearby plants