ST CLEER STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in St Cleer, Cornwall

ST CLEER STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Tremar, St Cleer, Cornwall, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,595 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK and EU regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated in a rural area near the coast. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges to freshwater and estuaries. The designed capacity is 2,722 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 577.74 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. As a UK facility, it operates under environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency, which set discharge consent conditions to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately reaches the English Channel via the River Fowey or nearby coastal streams. The proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means the discharge may influence coastal water quality, particularly in sensitive marine environments. The plant plays a role in protecting the ecological health of Cornwall's rivers and coastal waters.

The plant discharges into a small watercourse in the catchment of the River Fowey, which flows into the English Channel at Fowey Harbour. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including salmonids and marine species. The proximity to the coast means nutrient and pathogen removal is important to prevent eutrophication and protect bathing waters. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its rural character and tourism value.