THORNTON DALE STW - Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire Wastewater Treatment Plant

THORNTON DALE STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Thornton-le-Dale, a village in North Yorkshire, England. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,392 people, making it a small-scale facility within the region's wastewater infrastructure. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and its operations are integral to managing local sewage and protecting the surrounding environment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and sedimentation to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,542 m³/day and a reported discharge volume of 532.54 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. The treated effluent from THORNTON DALE STW is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the North Sea via the River Derwent and the Humber Estuary. This discharge contributes to the ecological health of the region's rivers and coastal waters, supporting aquatic life and maintaining water quality standards for downstream users.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the River Derwent, a major river in North Yorkshire. The Derwent ultimately reaches the Humber Estuary, a large tidal estuary that empties into the North Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats, including salmonid fisheries and important bird populations. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, protecting the ecological balance of these downstream waters.