03Protecting and enhancing natural systems
UKWIR will enable research that protects and enhances the natural environment and its ecosystems, supporting the safe and sustainable removal and treatment of wastewater.
More sustainable water and wastewater systems are needed, which will reduce carbon emissions and minimise freshwater abstractions. In recent years we have become increasingly aware of how fragile our resources are, and focus has turned to how we can help systems become more resilient to climate change, while protecting and enhancing the environment. This includes eliminating water wastage and exploring new sources of drinking water, so we are abstracting less from our environment and still meeting growing water demand. Protecting the environment is becoming an increasing priority for many customers.
UKWIR plans to support research to increase knowledge and improve practices so that by 2050 the water sector will have:
- Net zero carbon emissions and net positive natural capital, with minimal waste
- Halved freshwater abstractions without impacting service levels, supporting the environment and providing excellent service to customers
- Developed natural solutions that enhance the environment and are resilient to climate change providing sustainable water and wastewater services
- Sewers that are able to cope with growing populations and extreme demand conditions, and we can intervene proactively in order to respond to incidents.
How UKWIR themes relate to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Examples of our research publications
Source and pathway control of non-sanitary pollutants
READ REPORT
Quantifying, managing and communicating the differences in storm overflow spill data between EDM outputs and hydraulic model predictions
READ REPORT
Treatment Options for Storm Overflows
READ REPORT
For each of our themes we have developed a mission and aims, which we have aligned to the UKWIR Big Questions and linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to reflect their global applicability.
Helping to address the big questions
BQ1 - How do we halve Freshwater Abstractions in a Sustainable way by 2050?
BQ5 - How will we deliver an environmentally sustainable wastewater service that meets customer and regulator expectations by 2050?
BQ6 - How do we achieve a sustainable and resilient sewerage and drainage service for communities and the environment by 2050?