BQ12 - How do we achieve zero harm from plastics via our operations and activities by 2050?
We are currently working on the approach to answering this Big Question, and more information will be given here soon. The areas that this Big Question covers includes: Once we understand where the gaps are, we will produce a route map – this is a plan as to how we will answer our Big Question. The route map will have a number of key elements. At the top will be our Big Question and then we will look to see what Outcomes we need from the research programme -if we can achieve all these outcomes we can answer the Big Question. This is the stage we are currently at for this Big Question. The next stage will be to think about the key benefits we want the research projects to deliver to meet these outcomes. Following this, we will plan the research projects to help deliver the benefits. UKWIR – the UK and Irish water industry’s research body – has commissioned the first study of its kind in the UK to develop a robust approach to sampling and detection of microplastic particles in the treated water cycle. This included accurately measuring the presence of microplastic particles in potable (drinking) water, treated wastewater and in the solid residues (sludge) produced by both the water and wastewater treatment processes. Please click here to view more information.
RESEARCH Outcomes
The entry of harmful plastics into our products and water cycle is effectively controlled at source View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits The volume of plastics we receive at our works has been reduced We understand the main sources of plastics |
We can confidently identify, monitor & report the levels of harmful plastics through our operations & activities View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits We can reliably monitor plastics We know how and where to sample for plastics |
Our treatment processes can effectively remove harmful plastics View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits We have identified how our processes can minimise plastics to the environment |
Any effects of the plastics in our biosolids are quantified & have no negative impact on soil health View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits We can make more informed decisions regarding safe disposal of sludge to land We understand our total plastic load to the soil |
Our activities remain sustainable & actively support reducing the impact of plastics in the environment View key benefits and filter projects by this outcome key benefits We understand if plastics in our works inflows can be economically exploited |
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Projects
| Achieving zero harm from plastics via water industry operations and activities Phase 1. Project Status - Project Completed
Workshop purpose is to develop the research challenges that need answering to address the issues of reducing/removing plastics from the terrestrial water system. Such challenges could total any number, depending on the outputs from the preparatory work, but are expected to be between 3-8 arising. Depending on the outputs from the preparatory research, it may be that the research challenges will require ranking to identify the 3-4 key ones to be addressed through this research programme. |
| Sink to River - River to Tap - A review of potential risks from nano-particles & microplastics. Project Status - Project Completed Category - Drinking Water Quality & Health There is significant interest in the prevalence of nano-particles and microplastics entering the environment. There is a lack of understanding for the water industry with regards to the occurrence, fate and behaviour of these particles during transport and Waste Water Treatment; once dischrged to the river system there is limited understanding of how these particles behave; if river water is abstracted down-stream there is a lack of knowledge around the occurrenceand degree of removal of these particles through water treatment processes. |
Projects coming soon.
Projects coming soon.
Projects coming soon.
Projects coming soon.
RESEARCH IMPACT - CASE STUDIES
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