•    To determine, where appropriate, parameter-specific permit limits for the WwTWs influencing the Thames Estuary. 

The aims of the project are:- 

To develop and deliver an investigation into the prevalence and variation of selected ARG in effluent and sludge and the receiving environment.

To gather data on the prevalence of anti-microbial resistance co-selectors in sewage, biosolids and the environment.

To complement the work of other parties in the field of antimicrobial resistance and to understand in that context how the contribution of ARG from water industry assets and releases (both effluent and sludges) may be assessed. 

The aims of the project are: 

• To quantify the amount and type of microplastics potentially being generated through attrition and degradation of plastic components. 
  
  
• To identify options to reduce microplastic generation, either through recommendations for use of alternative materials or ways to limit the rate of attrition and degradation.

This research will provide relevant information for anyone who may need to assess the impact of different sewage sludge recycling and reclamation routes on microplastic, nutrient and certain chemicals content. The information will detail the changes in the amounts of different specific microplastics, nutrients and certain chemicals in sewage sludge because of ATC.

Specific objectives for the project are to:

1.    Understand what ATC plants are operational in the UK (commercial, pilot, laboratory, bench-scale, and/or others).
2.    If not enough operational plants exist in the UK, understand what plants are available in other countries.
3.    Gain access to the operational ATC plants and process sewage sludge through them.
4.    Understand any limitations on how sludge can be introduced to the available ATC processes.
5.    Analyse for microplastics samples from the Chemical Investigations Programme Phase 4 (CIP4) sludge project of sewage sludge at different stages of different sludge treatment processes.
6.    Analyse representative samples of batches of sewage sludge before and after treatment by each ATC plant, for the type, number, size, polymer type and mass of microplastics, their breakdown products, nutrients and certain chemicals. All ATC solid, liquid and gaseous products are within scope.
7.    Vary process parameters such as duration, temperature, pressure, and percentage of sewage sludge in feedstock to understand their impact on the effect of each ATC plant on the microplastics in the feedstock.
8.    Understand the value of the potential market, or cost of alternative destinations, for ATC products from feedstock containing sewage sludge.
9.    Understand the amount of sewage sludge that could be processed by ATC in the UK if the water industry loses spreading to land as a recycling route for sewage sludge.
10.    Compare the total environmental impact (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, etc.) of current sludge treatment vs. ATC alternatives.

To determine, where appropriate, parameter-specific permit limits for the WwTWs influencing the Severn Estuary.