The overall outcome of the project will be to confirm whether or not it is possible at the current time, with the data and information we have available, to undertake further work into quantifying the ‘costs’ in terms of impact to customers, and ‘benefits’ in terms of potential reductions in demand, of NEUB implementation. Should the research conclude this is not currently feasible, the project will make recommendations on improvements required in order for the industry to ensure it is collating the required information to undertake this assessment in the future.

Our primary objective is to understand what role new statistical models (based on the new live network data) have in the future vs more traditional deterministic models (hydraulic models).

Key questions to answer with the research:
•    What is the art of the possible now and in the future?
•    How could we do things differently and what are the benefits to change?
•    What new standards are needed so we adopt these new approaches?

The aim of the project is to develop a framework and/or suite of supporting tools for optimisation of interventions to achieve water supply interruption resilience over a 10-25 year planning horizon.

The project will investigate effective planning methods to optimise short and long-term interventions based on industry-best practice and establish the relative benefits of these interventions.

Including the benefits of operational interventions, such as:

• Alternative supply vehicles (response)
• PMV maintenance (proactive/control)
• Pressure optimisation (proactive/control)
• Event management systems and processes (including sensors)

Longer-term capital maintenance interventions, such as:

• DMA level mains renewal and replacement
• Trunk main renewal and replacement
• Novel lining approaches (link to BQ02/03 RPS workshop)

What do we want to achieve through this research?

A study of the efficacy of novel disinfection treatment processes (PFA and Ozone as a minimum) to inform suitable permitting conditions.

• Confirmation of the mechanism by which the processes achieve disinfection, focusing on its interaction with microbial cell structures and metabolic pathways.
• The identification of suitable surrogates that would emulate the behaviour of target pathogens during disinfection treatment for alternative technologies.
• An understanding of the dose / response relationship and what ‘CT value’ is required to ensure effective pathogen inactivation at a level to meet likely environmental regulators needs. This should include an understanding of how variables in wastewater characteristics such organic matter content, pH and temperature would influence the dose / response relationship and pathogen inactivation rates.
• An understanding of the ecotoxicity and quantity of any disinfection by-products produced during treatment.
• Consultation with the environmental regulators and other key stakeholders at every stage of the study process to deliver a final report that addresses the concerns these stakeholders have about alternatives to UV disinfection.
• Enable the environmental regulators to issue validated dose guidance for alternative technologies that will inform plant design and permitting arrangements.

The aim of this investigation is to understand if biosolids spreading on agricultural land impacts soil and groundwater quality, including possible implications for human health and the environment.