UK Water
Industry
Research

UKWIR currently manages over 70 projects for UK Water companies.  To enable us to continue meeting our members' requirements, UKWIR requires a high quality, excellent value, innovative service from our contractors. 

The projects proposed for next year's programme (see list below) will need to be delivered effectively and efficiently within UKWIR's tightly controlled budget. Contractors who are interested in bidding for any of the new projects should click on the 'Interested' link connected to that project's details and complete the form there. This form will automatically be passed to the relevant Project Manager.  The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 31 December 2011 - Expressions of Interest will not be accepted after this date.

NB Owing to the large number of expressions of interest received, these may not be acknowledged. Completion of the form does not guarantee that the contractor will be invited to tender for the work.

A forensic approach to understanding bacteriological infringements in the Water Network

Objectives A review of water quality data to establish a link between a number of risk factors and bacteriological compliance. These risk factors would include chlorine levels, water temperature, water age, SR turnover and links to other quality parameters. The aim would be to develop a tool-kit to allow meaningful investigations to be carried out when an infringement occurs Also, a review of bacteria species would be carried out to establish which are most likely to be present in the water supply (including WTW and SR samples) and what is their most likely source. The research would follow on from previous UKWIR research and use the established source/pathway/driving force logic.

	A total expenditure approach to comparative efficiency
	Objectives The aim of the project is to develop a statistically robust approach to modelling total expenditure, which will remove the potential for distortions created by the current framework for efficiency assessment. The project will involve assembling the relevant data and carrying out statistical analysis to develop a model.

Air-valve management – effect on mains bursts, leakage and water quality

Objectives To undertake industry wide analysis of air valves considering the following areas: 1. Design techniques, asset standards and maintenance policies 2. General provision (coverage and current serviceability); 3. Impacts of lack of air valve management 4. Look to make recommendations on costs of implementing a maintenance program 3. Maintenance & repair practices; 4. Measurement of the impact of poor air valve design and inadequate air valve provision on pipe stress and contamination potential; and 5. Review whether technology exists that can remotely monitor air valves.

Alternative Methodologies for Quantification of Leakage

Objectives To determine whether leakage at DMA level could be better quantified from a DMA water balance than by the current night flow minimum method, where domestic meter penetration is high. Anticipated Tasks: • Compile a dataset from UK companies for DMAs with high meter penetration. • Carry out water balances to quantify leakage and compare against night flow methods for the same DMAs • Refer to practices and examples from overseas

Debt Policy Narrative

Objectives To develop a clear overall industry narrative on debt, to show the current position and what would happen without policy change, including quantifying plausible “current path” forecasts for future levels of debt. Anticipated tasks: • Literature review to identify factors which may influence future debt • Interviews with relevant bodies • Desk study to develop debt forecasts and determine position statement

	Defining and incentivising outcomes and measures of success
	Objectives Outcomes, measures of success and incentives will not necessarily be the same for every company. However, the project is intended to give guidance which can be used in each company's engagement process to discuss what the compnay should be committed to.

Development of a Revised Run-off model for Wastewater Networks (Link to SW538)

Objectives The aims of the project are to develop a more suitable run-off model that will adequately allow the complex inter-relation of run-off from impermeable areas, permeable areas, local surface storage and variation in infiltration due to wet weather responses. In addition to provide additional guidance on the type and quantity of data required to represent the slow response processes. This would be done by an assessment of currently available run-off models against capability of meeting the above criteria, and development of a revised run-off model or improvement of an existing one. There will be a need for considerable amount of wet weather related rainfall and flow data which is already available in the water companies.

Effectiveness of alternatives to abstraction reduction

Objectives Provide a robust alternative measure to abstraction reduction for PR14. Assess and critically review the success of alternative approaches (such as in-river channel modifications) in enhancing ecological quality where this has been adopted as an option. This to provide the evidence base that there are alternative options to simply reducing abstraction. Tasks anticipated: To identify, with industry assistance, a selection of schemes to provide a range of approaches; To examine critically the benefits delivered by these schemes; To report which approaches appear to have been the most successful and identify their characteristics. To consider the wider applicability of successful schemes. This is likely to involve a combination of desk-based literature studies and field work to establish current/recent conditions if this information is not adequate or available.

Emerging Pesticides what next?

Objectives This work leads on from UKWIR DW14, but requires a radical new approach to finding an affordable treatment technology to ensure compliance with pesticide standard. This project will identify the pesticides of concern, evaluate the outcomes of DW14, and build a treatment strategy identifying options for biological treatment, adsorption and regeneration processes, and advanced oxidation and photocatalytic processes. The study will also provide a vehicle to drive forward and/or collate innovations in pesticide detection and measurement to facilitate catchment control, abstraction and treatment options.

Links and benefits of water and energy efficiency joint working

Objectives The project aims to develop a greater understanding of the links between water and energy use and efficiency, and includes addressing the barriers and benefits of combining water and energy efficiency initiatives. Potential outputs: •A set of values for energy savings derived from reductions in hot water usage. •A set of values for energy savings derived from reductions in cold water usage. •A typical % cost savings benefits for a household in water and energy charges derived from water efficiency. •The typical energy savings derived from water efficiency measures in the water treatment/delivery/waste treatment for a water company. •Identifying any barriers that exist to collaborative working with energy companies, energy advice centres and NGO's and proposing solutions for combined efficiency working. •Identifying and evaluating benefits (including cost benefits) that exist for combined efficiency working, both immediate for the water company/energy provider, and longer term for the offsetting of resource planning for increasing demand

Options for Refocusing SIM towards a Measure Based only on Consumer Satisfaction and Perception

Objectives If Ofwat was to move to a single qualitative SIM measure from 2015, it would benefit the industry to identify and evaluate options as soon as possible, in order to allow the maximum development time. Working in collaboration with Ofwat, this research would identify whether an alternative to the current qualitative measure would better reflect consumer satisfaction including views directly expressed by consumers, who have not been in contact with their water company. Alternative measures might incorporate the Net Promoter Score (NPS) used by other industries and/or a value-for-money measure, as proposed by CCWater.

Practical methodologies for monitoring and responding to the impacts of Climate Change on industry treatment processes.

Objectives Previous UKWIR projects have assessed the sensitivities of clean and wastewater processes to the impacts of climate change. After companies have applied to the findings of these projects to their own asset portfolio’s they will then need to assign thresholds for action and then be able to monitor the climate change indicators identified at each site. When thresholds are achieved then companies will need to implement monitoring action plans to ensure proportionate and timely responses are delivered. The aims of this project will be to: Identify the range of parameters that need to be measured. Identify options for the type of monitoring [direct/indirect] that could be undertaken. Identify where in the processes measurements should be made to ensure that they are meaningful. Help describe what identifies a trend vs single exceedance etc. Provide information to allow companies to develop critical thresholds. This will support future returns to DEFRA/Ofwat on preparedness for the impacts of climate change e.g. follow on to Adaptation Reporting Power.

	Quantification of Customer Supply Pipe Leakage
	Objectives Collect data from water companies and develop a tool or model to enable the CSPL rate to be calculated for measured and unmeasured domestic and commercial properties

Resilience - Making a Business Case for PR14

Objectives A clear understanding of OFWAT’s requirements in terms of resilience. A common unit of measure for resilience risk (e.g. property days lost) and how the valuation changes with time will be one of the key outputs. A standard methodology for assessing the risk of loss of supply for a customer/DMA/water supply zone etc. A standard template for resilience investment to feed directly into the PR14 submission documentation. The project will cover water, wastewater and business assets.

	Role of wastewater process control in delivering operating efficiencies
	Objectives This project would investigate the Agency's argument, looking at theoretical scenarios and, if available, actual case studies to better understand how process control can be effectively used to delivered improved performance AND operational efficiencies in the UK water industry.

Satellite remote sensing data for proactive catchment management

Objectives How can satellite remote sensing data be used to define the extent of ''problem'' areas in catchments and ''direct'' our remedial efforts? Can the same technology identify an improvement? Is it possible to define specific problems by the mapping output. Review project to establish if the available imagery and its processing allow for: the identification of areas where inappropriate cropping is being undertaken; the identification of sub catchments where cropping/management could present a risk of pesticide/nitrate/phosphate pollution; the characterisation of fine sediment/erosion risk; the characterisation of the amount of buffering in place; and the detection of 'wetness and land cover' on moorland catchment schemes.

	Supply Pipe Ownership - The Customer View
	Objectives Research customer views of possible supply pipe adoption and quantify their willingness to pay for it. Build on the previous UKWIR supply pipe research into the technical aspects.

Sustainable Sludge Thickening & Treatment at small WwTW

Objectives The project will review using literature study and desk/pilot trials: 1. What alternative managment options are available for small scale sludge treatment, recycling and/or disposal 2. What alternative treatment options are available at small WwTW to manage liquor from sludge thickening 3. What is the WLC and carbon balance of these options compared to current activity 4. What is the point at which the alternative becomes beneficial, for example when fuel costs reach £X

The contribution of brass fittings to lead in drinking water

Objectives To quantify the role that brass fittings play in the detection of elevated levels of lead in drinking water and how this might affect the development of national and local strategies to reduce lead levels in drinking water. Tasks anticipated: Conduct a survey of water companies to gather experience/opinions on brass fittings and elevated lead levels. Compilation of published information, particularly from the USA, on the contribution of brass to lead levels in drinking water and regulatory requirements/norms for lead levels in brass. Leaching tests on a representative variety of different types of water fittings (used by water companies/ plumbers/ householders), from various manufacturers to assess the potential for lead into drinking water. The fittings to be tested would be informed by the survey of water companies. The tests should include an assessment of leaching might be affected by how the fittings are installed and used. Eg wear associated with moving parts. An assessment of the types of fittings that have the greatest potential to give rise to elevated levels of lead at consumers taps. An assessment of the duration of any lead leaching. To engage with manufacturers and suppliers to understand why certain brass fittings leach high levels of lead.

Updating the current climate change Adaptation Framework - interdependencies with other sectors, barriers and synergies of drivers to successful adaptation

Objectives Update the current climate change adaptation framework to reflect recent work and consider wider industry exposure/interdependencies (e.g. supply chain, electricity etc) Identify practical issues associated with successful adaptation identify barriers and synergies in drivers. In addition the project will update/review the current framework to reflect interconnectivities and also with the outputs of current UKWIR studies.

Water Framework Directive Benefits Assessment

Objectives What is the economic value of improving the UK’s waterbodies and how does this vary by type of improvement, type of waterbody, access to waterbody, geographical area and size of improvement made? Is there the equivalent value for avoiding deterioration? Project tasks will include: Reviewing shortfalls of past surveys and identifying how gaps can be plugged. Designing a valuation survey that meets all Defra and other regulators' specifications as well as the water industy's. Conducting the valuation survey (to include valuations from all regions). Analysis of results to result in a monetary valuation tool that can be applied to various types of waterbody improvements. Analysis of any limitations of the survey. The tool will need to account for “within class” water quality changes and water quantity changes, be nationally relevant and wherever possible use the ecosystem services approach to valuation.

WFD - Cost-effective measures in other sectors

Objectives The objective of this project is to investigate and catalogue cost-effective measures that could be undertaken by non-water sectors to deliver GES in second cycle WFD. The project will concentrate upon those sectors identified as significant polluters in previous UKWIR projects to reduce uncertainty in the cost-effectiveness of measures they can take towards WFD compliance. The output of the project will allow Water and Sewerage undertakers to make effective argument that some WFD measures could/should be delivered by others more effectively and at lower cost.

What factors are limiting the implementation of Real Time Control systems as an alternative to enhancing the capacity of sewerage networks?

Objectives To develop an understanding of why Real Time Control is not being widely installed by the UK water industry. Anticipated challenges: 1) Develop international case studies of where Real Time Control has been implemented in lieu of or alongside enhancement schemes and what positive and negative operational experiences have been encountered. 2) Is Real Time Control being considered by the UK water industry? If not, what are the current barriers to entry for this technology? 3) How should the industry determine the costs and benefits of Real Time Control?

WwTW for Adoption

Objectives To produce a document following wide consultation that sets out best practice for developers building WwTW to be adopted by Water companies. It is accepted that the document may initially need to include individual annexes for individual water companies but over time this should be consolidated to develop national best practice. Anticipated Tasks: - Literature search - Desk studies - Participant meetings - Developer and supplier discussions - Document development