黑料不打烊

About two-thirds of tap water in the UK comes from reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Our research focuses on the management of catchments upstream of drinking water abstraction points, and how different management practices affect water quality.

We have demonstrated that an appropriate combination of measures can lead to water quality improvements which reduce the need for costly treatment of issues including colour and dissolved organic carbon.

A changing climate and increasing population mean that there is a growing risk of water shortages in the UK and globally. Unless we find new ways to store, treat, transfer and recycle water, it may become very difficult to meet the needs of people whilst also protecting habitats and wildlife. And as water quality suffers in drier conditions, water treatment costs may increase markedly.

Our research focuses on the widest range of nature-based, behavioural, economic and engineering-based measures to protect precious natural resources and promote sustainable consumption.

Pollution from the sewer network can occur due to leaks, pump failures, pipe blockages (including from fatbergs) and flooding. With the right monitoring and management, risk assessment, operational practices and training, the impact of pollution incidents can be reduced and their impact minimised.

Our research focuses on new approaches for predicting pollution, and the development of technology and practices which minimise the likelihood of it occurring.

Some leaks in water pipes are inevitable as pipes can wear out or be damaged by sudden changes in temperature. However leakage can also be affected by operational strategies (for example pressure management), network characteristics, asset condition and age.

Our research aims to understand the factors that influence leakage, support early detection and identify new solutions to minimise water loss, prevent supply disruptions and reduce operating costs.

Underpinning our more applied, sector-focussed research is a portfolio of pure research projects which deepen our understanding of the interactions between the hydrological cycle and soils, geomorphology, ecology, climate and land use.

This deeper understanding informs our sector-focussed research programmes, and ultimately will lead to more effective interventions by water and land managers, industry and regulators alike.