A listing of research examples that have benefited the water utilities industry.
Management of diffuse pollution at a catchment level raises complex technical, economic and social issues, and without the support of stakeholders (including water companies, regulators, farmers, local authorities, industry, and residents) it is unlikely that any catchment management strategy will succeed.
The UK sewer system totals some 300,000 km in length, with an estimated replacement value of £104bn. Maintenance and replacement programmes have focused on ‘critical sewers’ that make up 20% of the network. However, around 25,000 blockages occur each year in smaller diameter sewers that make up the bulk of the network, 13% of which result in internal property flooding.
Taking samples of river water using the conventional method of filling bottles by hand can be costly and time consuming. Results obtained from ‘spot’ samples provide, at best, only a snapshot of pollutants that may have been present at the time of sampling, making interpretation of results problematic. Time lags between sampling, analysis and re-sampling also introduce delays that preclude timely response. Improved water quality sampling instrumentation is essential if these multiple problems are to be overcome for regulators and the water industry.
The UK, or more specifically England, has had high incidences of widespread endocrine disruption in wild fish. This has been associated with effluent discharges from domestic sewage treatment plants (STPs). In order to inform future decisions on an appropriate regulatory strategy for oestrogenic domestic STP effluents, there needs to be an evaluation carried out on the efficacy and cost effectiveness of existing and improved STP treatment processes for reducing steroid oestrogen emissions.
Water pipelines benefit from regular cleaning, but conventional methods are often problematic:
Wastewater is high in nitrates and phosphates, which water companies have to remove to avoid pollution of natural water systems. Currently, a number of processes are used in sewage works to treat wastewater and remove these substances, but these are often energy-intensive, difficult to manage, and produce CO2 and other wastes.
There are approximately 200,000 sewer blockages throughout the UK every year. It is estimated around 75% are caused by fats, oils and greases (‘FOG’). Blockages account for 55% of sewer flooding incidents in the UK and more than 3,000 properties are flooded each year as a result.
Water management problems are often the realm of complex, dynamic systems consisting of interdependent factors and multiple stressors. There is therefore a need to develop a better understanding of these problems from a more systems-based perspective.
Failures in the water distribution network represent a major cost to any water company. A significant proportion of bursts and leaks are associated with the corrosion of cast-iron pipe systems laid without protection earlier this century. In many places, these are now performing so badly that replacement or repair is a matter of urgency.
The Water Security Knowledge Exchange Portal supports the objectives of the UK Water Partnership - a collaboration between the water industry, policy and research communities. It provides guidance and co-ordination for water research and innovation in the UK.
This site is hosted byTheme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer