Water Quality - Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
Sewage Treatment in the UK: Implementation of the
EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
This
document 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. [That
report is only available in a printed version - copies can still be obtained
by emailing ccu.correspondence@defra.gsi.gov.uk]
[See also "Water Quality - Sewage Treatment in the UK: Sensitive Areas", published in October 2002, updated July 2003]
Contents
- Introduction
- Background on urban waste water
- The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
- Industrial discharges (not to sewer)
- Improvements on the collection of waste water
- Improvements in the treatment of waste water
- Further improvements to come
- Monitoring to ensure protection of the environment
- Re-use and disposal of sewage sludge
- Investment
- What you can do ...
- Glossary
- Further information sources: web sites and documents
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Introduction
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.
Please look out for KEYWORDS that have a fuller explanation in the Glossary and INFOBOXES that provide additional information.
Acknowledgements:
Photographs in this document were provided by North of Scotland Water
Authority, Yorkshire Water Services Ltd, Thames Water Utilities Ltd and
Wessex Water Services Ltd.
Page last modified: 14 August 2008
Page published:
25 April 2002