The sewage treatment plant design is to treat effluent from a summer population of 28,000 people. This was the largest, submerged membrane bioreactor plant of its type in the world. It also achieved a 2003 Civic Trust Award presented by HRH The Prince of Wales. 
Situated in an environmentally sensitive area, it is adjacent to the picturesque bay and bathing beach of Swanage. However in 2016 and 2017 there were major spillages, resulting in fines totalling a million pounds for Wessex Water. Since 2018, however, the works has been able to cope with excess volumes, following a further £3 million investment in the plant.