Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
This page gives information about the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and how it is being implemented in the UK, with links to related documents including published reports.
This Directive was adopted by member states in May 1991 and transposed into legislation across the UK by the end of January 1995. Its objective is to protect the environment from the adverse effects of sewage discharges. It sets treatment levels on the basis of sizes of sewage discharges and the sensitivity of waters receiving the discharges. By the end of 1998 the UK had stopped all disposal of the sewage sludge left over from treatment processes at sea or to other surface waters in accordance with its requirements.
The text of the Directive and of the UK's implementing Regulations (from HMSO) are available via the following links:
- The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (European Commission web site)
Regulations
England and Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Implementation of the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
Proper collection, treatment and discharge of waste water, and correct disposal or re-use of the resulting sludge helps to protect and improve water quality in the UK.
This document describes what the UK has done to improve waste water treatment and meet its commitments under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. It provides a general description of the present situation, monitoring and investment, and explains how individuals can help to reduce water pollution.
It also explains how sewage is treated in the UK and what action is being taken to improve this. It fulfils the UK's obligations under Article 16 of the European Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive to produce periodically national situation reports on the collection and treatment of waste water, and the re-use or disposal of the by-product of this treatment, sewage sludge.
It updates the first UK report published in March 1996 - now only available in a printed version - copies can still be obtained by emailing ccu.correspondence@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Sensitive Areas
Under the Directive the UK is required to review environmental waters at four-yearly intervals to determine whether they are sensitive to the effects of sewage discharges.
Further information on sensitive areas, including the criteria for their identification, lists of Sensitive Areas identified in the UK and maps showing their location are available via the following link:
Page last modified: 17 October 2008
Page published: 26 April 2002