BQ4 - How do we achieve 100% compliance with drinking water standards (at point of use) by 2050?

ROUTE MAPCASE STUDIES

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:

  • Evaluate if we are contributing harmful plastics to the water cycle
  • Establish their source and effective control measures to remove them

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

Customers are satisfied with their drinking water
Key Benefits
- We can measure taste and odour quantitatively
- We understand the occurrence of taste and odour
An appropriate balance of risks for substances of concern. their public health impact and mitigation
Key Benefits
- Catchment Interventions can be implemented as part of the treatment process
- We can identify emerging contaminants of concern
- We can implement cost effective means to minimise Disinfection By-products
- We can implement cost effective measures for removal
- We can implement processes to remove microplastics
- We have accurate information about Disinfection By-products and their pre-cursors
- We understand the impacts of microplastics on drinking water quality
- We understand the use of Catchment Interventions as a treatment option
Ownership and responsibility for water quality is clear and all play their part in its protection
Key Benefits
- We can determine the affordable & acceptable solutions for Lead compliance
- We understand the chemistry that controls the solubility of lead
Regulate the Right Things
Key Benefits
- We can inactivate viruses in distributed water cost effectively and sustainable
- We can inactivate viruses when using sustainable means
- We have an adaptive system that responds to change
- We have the right tools to deliver the right solutions
Zero Chemical & Low Energy Treatment Processes
Key Benefits
- We can identify the biochemical pathways to resolve treatment needs
- We can implement sustainable solutions
 

Research Impact - Case Studies