Overview
SAFFRON WALDEN STW serves the Uttlesford area of Essex, England, treating wastewater for approximately 17,293 people. The plant discharges into local watercourses within the Thames River basin.
SAFFRON WALDEN STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, Essex, England. It serves a population of around 17,293, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its operations are part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. As a UK facility, SAFFRON WALDEN STW operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet the standards set by the Environment Agency, ensuring compliance with discharge permits that protect receiving water quality. The treated effluent from SAFFRON WALDEN STW is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Thames River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in the downstream environment, contributing to the health of the Thames estuary and its associated habitats.
Environmental context
SAFFRON WALDEN STW discharges into local streams that flow into the River Cam, a tributary of the Great Ouse, which eventually reaches the Wash estuary. This watershed supports diverse freshwater species and provides important habitat for migratory birds. The plant's treatment processes help protect the ecological integrity of these water bodies by reducing nutrient and pollutant loads.
Frequently asked questions
SAFFRON WALDEN STW is located in Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, Essex, England, United Kingdom.
The plant serves approximately 17,293 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU and UK wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the River Cam and eventually the Great Ouse, part of the Thames River basin.
As a UK plant, it operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, enforced by the Environment Agency.
For medium-sized agglomerations (10,000-100,000 people), the EU UWWTD requires secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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