Overview
Tollesbury STW is a secondary treatment plant serving 2,415 people in Maldon, Essex, England. It discharges treated wastewater near the coast, operating under UK regulations.
Tollesbury STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Tollesbury, near Maldon, Essex, England. It serves a population of approximately 2,415 and is situated close to the coast, reflecting its role in managing wastewater from a small coastal community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (transposed into UK law) for discharges into coastal waters. With a designed capacity of 2,720 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of 537.66 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well within its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately reach the Blackwater Estuary, a significant ecological area supporting diverse birdlife and marine habitats. The plant's coastal location necessitates careful management to protect the sensitive estuarine environment.
Environmental context
Tollesbury STW discharges into the Blackwater Estuary, a tidal inlet of the North Sea. The estuary supports important bird populations and saltmarsh habitats, making it ecologically sensitive. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, safeguarding the estuarine ecosystem and downstream coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
Tollesbury STW is located on Woodrolfe Road in Tollesbury, near Maldon, Essex, England.
The plant serves a population of approximately 2,415 people.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Blackwater Estuary, which leads to the North Sea.
Tollesbury STW provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required for coastal discharges under UK regulations derived from the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
As a UK plant, Tollesbury STW operates under the Water Industry Act and environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency, ensuring compliance with discharge standards for coastal waters.
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