TIDESWELL STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Derbyshire Dales, England

TIDESWELL STW is a wastewater treatment works located in Priestcliffe, near Tideswell in Derbyshire Dales, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,198 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under UK water industry standards. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into local rivers that ultimately feed into the River Derwent catchment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required for inland freshwater discharges under the UK's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (now retained as UK law). Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and settlement, reducing organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,600 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 489.35 cubic meters per day, indicating it operates well below its design capacity. The receiving water body is part of the River Derwent basin, which flows through the Peak District National Park and eventually joins the River Trent. The plant's discharge contributes to the local water cycle, supporting aquatic life in the downstream environment. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the regulatory requirements for inland waters, protecting the ecological quality of the receiving streams.

The plant discharges into the River Derwent catchment, which flows through the Peak District and into the River Trent, ultimately reaching the North Sea via the Humber Estuary. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats, including chalk streams and limestone rivers, which are sensitive to nutrient enrichment. Secondary treatment helps control organic pollution, but the plant's discharge may still contribute to nutrient loads in the downstream environment.