Policy paper
Information about nutrient significant plants
Updated 24 May 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-designation-of-sensitive-catchment-areas-2024/information-about-nutrient-significant-plants
Water companies have a duty to ensure wastewater treatment works serving a population equivalent over 2,000 discharging into designated catchments meet specified nutrient removal standards. These plants are listed below.
The nutrient pollution standards specified (10 mg per litre for nitrogen and 0.25 mg per litre for phosphorus) align with current Technically Achievable Limits. This is the most stringent limit the Environment Agency will normally set in a permit to reduce a certain pollutant from wastewater using currently available technology.
1. Wastewater treatment works to meet the nutrient pollution standard for phosphorus
| Sensitive catchment area | Wastewater treatment works | Upgrade date | Nutrient pollution standard (mg/l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole Harbour | Blackheath | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Dorchester (Louds Mill) | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Lytchett Minster | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Poole E | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Wareham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Wool | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Broadmayne | 01-Apr-35 [footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Cerne Abbas | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Corfe Castle | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Maiden Newton | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Milborne St Andrew | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Piddlehinton | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| Poole Harbour | Puddletown | 01-Apr-35[footnote 1] | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Amesbury | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Christchurch | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Downton | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Fordingbridge | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Great Wishford | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Hurdcott | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Netheravon | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Pewsey | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Ratfyn | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Ringwood | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Salisbury (Petersfinger) | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Shrewton | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Tidworth Garrison | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Tisbury | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Avon | Warminster | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Axe | Colyton | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Axe | Kilmington | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Axe | Tatworth | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Camel | Bodmin Nanstallon | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Camel | Bodmin Scarletts Well | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Camel | Camelford | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Camel | Delabole | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake | Keswick | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Appleby | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Brampton (Carlisle) | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Carlisle | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Dalston | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Kirkby Stephen | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Penrith (Penrt) | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Eden | Warwick Bridge | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Itchen | Chickenhall Eastleigh | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Itchen | Harestock | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Itchen | Morestead | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Itchen | New Alresford | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Lambourn | Chieveley | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Lambourn | East Shefford | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Mease | Donisthorpe | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Mease | Measham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Mease | Overseal | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Mease | Packington | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Mease | Snarestone | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Wensum | Bylaugh | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Wensum | Dereham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Wensum | Fakenham (Old And New) | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| River Wensum | Reepham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Bishops Lydeard | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Bruton | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Butleigh | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Castle Cary | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Chard | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Crewkerne East | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | East Coker | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Evercreech | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Glastonbury | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Ilchester | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Ilminster | 16-May-3[footnote 2]1 2 | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Langport | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Martock | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Merriott | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Milborne Port | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Shepton Mallet | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Sherborne | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Somerton | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | South Petherton | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Taunton | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Thornford | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Wellington | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Wells | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Somerset Levels and Moors | Yeovil (Pen Mill) | 16-May-31[footnote 2] | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Ashford | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Canterbury | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Charing | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Chartham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Herne Bay | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Lenham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Sellindge | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Westbere | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| Stodmarsh | Wye | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Aylsham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Belaugh | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Briston | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Forncett End | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Hempnall | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Long Stratton | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Mattishall | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Saxlingham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Shipdham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Stalham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Swardeston | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Whitlingham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
| The Broads | Wymondham | 01-Apr-30 | 0.25 |
2. Wastewater treatment works to meet the nutrient pollution standard for nitrogen
| Sensitive catchment area | Wastewater treatment works | Upgrade date | Nutrient pollution standard (mg/l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole Harbour | Blackheath | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Poole Harbour | Dorchester (Louds Mill) | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Poole Harbour | Lytchett Minster | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Poole Harbour | Poole E | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Poole Harbour | Wareham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Poole Harbour | Wool | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Ashlett Creek | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Barton Stacey | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Bishops Waltham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Bosham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Brockenhurst | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Budds Farm | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Chichester | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Chickenhall Eastleigh | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | East Grimstead | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Flexford Lane Sway | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Fullerton | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Harestock | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Ivy Down Lane | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Kings Somborne | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Lavant | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Ludgershall | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Lyndhurst | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Millbrook | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Morestead | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | New Alresford | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Overton | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Peel Common | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Pennington | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Portswood | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Romsey | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Slowhill Copse | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Thornham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | West Wellow | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Whitchurch | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Wickham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Woolston | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Solent | Wroxall | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Ashford | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Canterbury | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Charing | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Chartham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Herne Bay | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Lenham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Sellindge | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Westbere | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Stodmarsh | Wye | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Aycliffe | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Barnard Castle | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Bran Sands | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Carlton and Redmarshall | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Chilton Lane | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Fishburn | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Great Ayton | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Sedgefield | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Stokesley | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Stressholme | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Trimdon Village | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast | Windlestone | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Aylsham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Belaugh | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Bylaugh | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Briston | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Dereham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Fakenham (Old and New) | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Forncett End | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Hempnall | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Long Stratton | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Mattishall | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Reepham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Saxlingham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Shipdham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Stalham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Swardeston | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Whitlingham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
| The Broads | Wymondham | 01-Apr-30 | 10 |
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These plants ceased to be exempt from 3 May 2024. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
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The sewerage undertaker has committed to the delivery of the wastewater treatment work upgrades by 1 April 2030. The Environment Agency has also committed to varying Environmental Permits for the relevant wastewater treatment works so that the permits will require compliance with the nutrient pollution standard by 1 April 2030. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24