e-Digest Statistics about: Inland Water Quality and Use
Influences on freshwater quality and their control
The EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
The EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC covers the collection and treatment of urban waste water and the disposal of sewage sludge. The treatment standards and the deadlines set for in the Directive for treatment vary according to the sensitivity of the receiving water, the type of receiving water (i.e. fresh waters, estuaries or coastal waters) and the size of the agglomeration (usually urban areas) which produces the waste water. The dates for complying with the standards in the Directive are phased from 1998 to 2005.
Table 17 shows the total organic load in the UK covered by the Directive's prescribed treatment standards, broken down by agglomeration size and the sensitivity and type of receiving waters. The loads are based on 1992 figures and are expressed in terms of population equivalents. One population equivalent (pe) means the organic biodegradable load has a five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 60g of oxygen per day. The table also shows the estimated percentage of these 1992 loads which are deemed to comply for 1992 and 1995 with the future standards which come into force between 1998 and 2005. Updated figures on compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive are due to be published in 2005.
Further Information:
Data Tables:
| Table
No. |
Title | Download
file type |
| 17 | Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants discharges into freshwaters, estuaries and coastal waters: 1992 and 1995, United Kingdom |
- References, further reading and links to other resources:
- Water Quality - Sewage Treatment
- Water Quality - Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
- Internet Links:
- For national and local information see:
- England and Wales: Environment Agency
- Scotland: Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- Northern Ireland: Environment and Heritage Service
- Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland
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Page last modified: 7 December 2004
Page published: 7 December 2004