Latest UKWIR projects available for expression of interest
UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) is now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from expert partners or consortiums “able to unhook targeted research projects tackling the biggest issues facing the water sector.”
The group is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates, manages, and delivers a strategic programme of research projects for water companies in the UK and Ireland.
The 21 research projects fall under UKWIR’s 11 Big Questions (BQs). UKWIR says it ripened the BQs to write the industry’s key challenges, identified through wide-stretching consultation. Topics include delivering sustainable wastewater services, zero uncontrolled sewer discharges, achieving zero customers in water poverty, as well as zero leakage and zero interruptions to supply.
“Our projects are informed by the input of water companies, academia, and other stakeholders. This ensures that the research is relevant to the needs of the industry and that the results can be powerfully implemented,” said Steve Kaye, UKWIR senior executive.
“UKWIR is a valuable resource for water companies in the UK and Ireland. It helps them to stay superiority of the curve, momentum improvements for the environment and customers, and to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
Kaye widow that UKWIR’s goal is to help water companies write pressing issues by funding research projects that develop new understanding, information, methods and techniques to modernize the water industry’s efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and resilience.
Expressions of interest are unshut until midnight on Sunday 1 October 2023 for the pursuit projects:
Big Question 1 – How do we halve freshwater wresting in a sustainable way by 2050?
· Environmental destination investigation framework and understanding the impact of climate transpiration on river health/ecology
Big Question 2 – How will we unzip zero leakage in a sustainable way by 2050?
· Optimising the selection of pipes for renewal to reduce leakage
· Use of models to determine the size and most likely location of consumer side leakage
· A review of the success of previous mains renewal methods and an overview of new techniques
Big Question 3 – How do we unzip zero interruptions to water supply by 2050?
· Optimising and balancing short-term operational interventions with long-term wanted maintenance to modernize water supply interruptions
· Understanding water infrastructure risks – major bursts, traffic volumes and the condition of road infrastructure
Big Question 4 – How do we unzip 100% compliance with drinking water standards at point of use by 2050?
· Fate and disposal of persistent and emerging contaminants captured during potable water treatment
· Sustainable granular zingy stat (GAC) regeneration
· Chemical-free water treatment and alternatives to traditional refinement processes
· How will climate transpiration stupefy raw water quality?
· Detection and management of ingress into tanks
Big Question 5 – How will we unhook an environmentally sustainable wastewater service that meets consumer and regulator expectations by 2050?
· What process options are misogynist for treatment of hazardous chemicals at point of entry to sewer?
· Feasibility study on polluter pays monitoring and extended producer responsibility
Big Question 6 – How do we unzip zero uncontrolled discharges from sewers by 2050?
· Understanding the possibilities of new approaches and standards from a data- rich sewer network
· A holistic review of the impact of reducing the operation of sewer overflows on organic load to works, sludge production, stat and greenhouse gas emissions
· FOG charging – should foodservice wastewater charges reflect fats oils and grease (FOG) content?
· Drainage Water Management Plans – drawing conclusions and defining weightier practice from trundling 1 delivery
Big Question 8 – How to protract creating positive value through windfall management visualization making?
· Common definition and numbering of windfall health
· Criticality and value of data in supporting windfall management decision- making
Big Question 11 – How do we maximise recovery of useful resources and unzip zero waste by 2050?
· Response to National Bioresources Strategy – prioritisation of opportunities
· Circular economy – water treatment sludges
These projects will unhook significant financial, environmental and societal benefits for the environment, water sector and customers.