To assist the UK and Irish Water Industry in positioning itself for the future, UKWIR seeks to obtain advance notice of issues likely to impact the business of the UK and Irish Water Industry.  Such information will enable the industry to be aware of new and developing issues and to respond to them with authority. It will also prevents duplication of research work, thus directing expenditure on research in a more focused manner.

The objective of the project is to maintain and further develop the functionality of the Database as an effective communication and analysis tool for events.

It provides a platform for company users to:

• Assist risk assessment for DWSPs
• Improve communications between companies
• Notify companies of hazardous situations
• Sharing and learning

The objective is to have better knowledge of methods for integrating assessments of capital and operational carbon emissions and being able to show external stakeholders that the sector is able to address the former as well as the latter

Over the last 20 years, the kinetics of HAA formation have been well described and modelled with reaction rates and types observed and reported. General findings are that the levels of brominated HAAs are not linearly related to bromide levels indicating that other factors are influential. Reported studies are observational and descriptive and manipulation of the kinetics has not been reported in the literature.

The initial formation of HOBr and the incorporation of bromine into DBPs will be investigated at a fundamental level to advance the understanding of the reactions and the influencing factors.
The novelty of this work is in investigating the potential for manipulation of the reaction kinetics. This project will provide an understanding of how manipulating the kinetics and thermodynamics of Br-DBP formation influences the distribution and mass of DBPs formed.
This project will allow water companies to develop holistic strategies for DBP management to meet current and future regulatory requirements, especially for the Br-HAAs.

Current strategies are to reduce organic levels to reduce DBPs. This works well for the currently regulated THMs, but has been shown to increase Br-DBPs particularly HAAs. Through consideration of chemical interactions from source to tap, this project will allow the interaction of organic carbon, bromide and chlorine to be assessed. The information on these reactions will inform the best approach to minimise formation of these compounds; this could inform decisions on catchment/resource management as well as on future investment in infrastructure.

The influence of the impending HAA standards coupled with an increase in source water organics in upland sources from soil erosion and in lowland water from algae is leading water companies to invest in solutions to reduce DBP formation. These investments can include new plant such as ion-exchange processes for organics removal, reservoir treatment to reduce algal blooms and catchment management solutions to manage organics levels in the water.
Understanding current HAA levels and the potential for reducing brominated HAAs through manipulation of kinetics will allow the investments to be targeted to ensure resilience in meeting regulatory requirements

This project will define a way forward by developing the basis for means by which consumers can differentiate between the nickel risk posed by products. It seeks to establish new testing standards that are accurate, reliable, repeatable, accessible and inexpensive. This would help manufacturers improve production processes and design products less likely to expose consumers to nickel.

It will also provide a means by which products can be differentiated on the basis of testing for nickel leaching, providing appropriate guidance to purchasers of fittings, based on on-going testing and assurance

This contributes to the big question ‘How do we achieve 100% compliance with drinking water standards at the point of use by 2050?’

This project will enable the identification of ‘low nickel’ or ‘nickel free’ products so that, if highlighted by manufacturers, retailers and approval schemes, consumers would be able to make informed choices.

A testing standard and associated acceptance criteria, is an essential precursor to enhanced regulation of metals within water fittings. Regulation may be required if voluntary mechanisms do not work, and the project will involve liaison with regulators – the 3 UK water quality regulators have indicated their support for this project.