Overview
SHILLINGSTONE STW is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Shillingstone, Dorset, England, serving approximately 2,663 people. It discharges treated effluent into local watercourses within the Stour catchment.
SHILLINGSTONE STW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the village of Shillingstone, Dorset, in southern England. The facility serves a population of around 2,663 and is part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed under UK environmental regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage required for inland freshwater discharges under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 3,974 cubic meters per day and an average daily flow of approximately 593 cubic meters, the plant operates well within its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local river system, ultimately draining into the River Stour and then into the English Channel via Poole Harbour. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the River Stour catchment, which flows through the Dorset countryside and into Poole Harbour, a large natural harbor and estuarine environment. The Stour supports populations of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and European eel, and the surrounding wetlands provide habitat for wading birds and waterfowl. The discharge must comply with strict environmental quality standards to protect these sensitive ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
SHILLINGSTONE STW is located in Shillingstone, a village in Dorset, England, along the North Dorset Trailway. The plant serves the local community and is part of the regional wastewater network.
The plant serves approximately 2,663 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses within the River Stour catchment. The plant provides secondary treatment to meet environmental standards before release.
The plant protects the River Stour and its tributaries, which flow through Dorset and into Poole Harbour. These waters support diverse aquatic life and are part of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The plant operates under the UK's implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which requires secondary treatment for inland discharges from agglomerations of this size. Compliance is enforced by the Environment Agency.
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