The research reports aim to boost the water sector’s knowledge of microplastics and further the understanding of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in wastewater treatment processes.
WD News: The reports from the final stage of the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP3) are now published.
There are a total of thirteen research reports, which aim to boost the water sector’s knowledge of microplastics and further the understanding of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in wastewater treatment processes.
UKWIR has added the extensive dataset to the CIP database on its website. Access is open to anyone, from the public at large, to academics, consultants, government departments and regulators, aquatic and environmental specialists, local community groups and river partnerships.
“These reports aim to improve understanding of how effective treatment processes are at removing trace chemicals at coastal and transitional water bodies, as well as exploring the additional complexity around emerging issues such as microplastics,” explained Mark Craig from Severn Trent, who is the industry representative for CIP, and UKWIR’s co-lead for the Wastewater Big Question.
CIP is the UK water industry’s response to current and emerging legislation on trace substances in the water environment.
The £190 million CIP programme launched in 2010 to investigate a range of chemical substances that find their way into sewage and biosolids and reach rivers and streams. The first phase of the programme was focussed on the needs of water companies and regulators, and provided insights into the sources of contaminants found in sewerage systems and the effectiveness of current treatment processes in reducing effluent concentrations.
The second phase moved towards a more site-specific assessment of 600 individual discharges, with associated environmental sampling, pilot and feasibility trials of new treatment technologies and five catchment studies to evaluate catchment management options. This resulted in over 60,000 samples being analysed. Findings were used to inform UK and EU policy on potential costs of interventions.
Source & image courtesy: UKWIR