Mogden sewage treatment works is our third largest treatment works. It was built between 1931 and 1935 at a cost of £1.7m and covers an area of 55 hectares. Over half of the power used by the plant is renewable energy that's been generated on site as part of the sewage treatment process. The treatment works serves around 2.1 million people, and some of the wastewater has travelled over 20 miles by the time it reaches Mogden.
In more recent years, we've needed to significantly extend Mogden to reduce the number of times partially-treated sewage overflows into the River Thames when the works become overloaded after heavy rain. Our work to upgrade the site continues, with plans to implement the following:
Stay up to date with the latest changes with the reports available:
Historically, there was an issue with odour from the treatment works, and so we worked with the local community around Mogden to help control the smells. An independent odour survey carried out by OdourNet UK Ltd, in September 2008, showed that odour levels had significantly reduced.
We continue to monitor the smells at Mogden using two methods:
The reports below provide a breakdown of weekly odour monitor readings taken throughout the year.
There are eight monitors at Mogden, which monitor sludge gas readings taken throughout the year. The readings are available to access below:
The local Environmental Health Officer is welcome to carry out a site visit whenever they wish. Following each visit, any observations are sent to the management team at Mogden for review and, when necessary, appropriate actions are taken.
We also follow a strict programme of inspections and treatment aimed at controlling mosquitoes at Mogden. The processes we use are audited by local environmental health officers, and based on recommendations from leading independent experts. We also work with the London boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames to raise public awareness of mosquito breeding sites in the wider local area and how to prevent further breeding to reduce the numbers.
When it rains, the high volume of sewage, or wastewater, coming into Mogden can't all be treated at once. The excess is stored in storm tanks after first being screened and de-gritted.
Once the flow reduces, the sewage is returned to the head of the works for processing. However, if the storm tanks fill up before this happens, we have no option but to send partially treated excess wastewater to the River Thames. This prevents it backing up into streets or homes.
You can view real-time data for our storm discharges on our EDM map.
We work closely with the local community surrounding Mogden Sewage Treatment Works and have held regular Mogden residents meetings since 1992. The meetings invite local councillors, MPs and residents to discuss any issues they may be experiencing as a direct result of living near the treatment works. All previous residents' meetings are available to download below:
Iver South is a sludge de-watering centre, approximately 10 miles from Mogden. Sludge is pasteurised, digested, then sent through the sludge pipeline to Iver South. Here, it is de-watered using polymer and then made into cake. This is used for agricultural purposes across the country.
Our aim is to carry out our operation with minimal disruption to our neighbours. Given the nature of our operation, there are times when things can go wrong. With this in mind, you'll find any notifications on this page. These will also be sent to registered residents and stakeholders.
