WALTHAM STW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Melton, Leicestershire

WALTHAM STW is a wastewater treatment plant located in Waltham on the Wolds, near Melton in Leicestershire, England. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,094 and operates under the regulatory framework of the United Kingdom, which implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for secondary treatment standards. The plant provides secondary treatment, meeting the standard required for agglomerations of this size under UK regulations. With a designed capacity of 2,400 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 466.20 m³/day, the facility operates well within its capacity, ensuring effective treatment of municipal wastewater. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the River Wreake, a tributary of the River Soar, which ultimately flows into the River Trent and then the Humber Estuary. This catchment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality management.

The plant discharges into the River Wreake catchment, which flows into the River Soar, a major tributary of the River Trent. The Trent drains into the Humber Estuary, a large estuarine ecosystem that supports migratory fish and bird populations. The local watershed is predominantly rural, with agricultural runoff being a key water quality concern. Secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, protecting downstream habitats.