Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a university that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Smart systems keep water and power flowing in Cyprus
The University of Cyprus, supported by Imperial, is developing innovative systems for monitoring and managing electricity and water networks. Water and energy networks are known as critical infrastructure because they’re vital to communities and economic activity. This means that they must be operated efficiently and remain resilient to external challenges at all times. Using digital […]
UK rivers contain cocktail of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and stimulants
A nationwide citizen science project has found high levels of chemical pollutants in freshwater bodies across the UK. Thousands of volunteers have helped to provide a snapshot of the health of the nation’s rivers and waterways, highlighting high levels of nitrates and phosphates, as well as a cocktail of chemical compounds that pose a risk […]
Handwashing a major source of pet pesticide pollution in UK rivers
A new study reveals that handwashing in the weeks after spot-on flea and tick treatments is the largest source of pet pesticide pollution in rivers. The study’s authors, from the University of Sussex and Imperial College London, are calling for a review of the regulatory framework and prescribing practices to address toxic pet pesticides washing […]
Climate change to blame for the devastating drought in Syria, Iraq and Iran
A new study has found that the ongoing severe droughts in Syria, Iraq and Iran would not have happened without human-caused climate change. Since 2020, extreme drought in Syria, Iraq and Iran has led to food and water shortages affecting tens of millions of people. The World Weather Attribution study found that without 1.2°C of […]
River sampling study shows impact of COVID-19 pandemic on London’s waterways
The most detailed study of a city’s waterways anywhere in the world has revealed how chemical pollutants in London’s rivers changed over the pandemic. In a study led by researchers at Imperial College London, scientists have shown how pollutants entering the capital’s river systems – including traces of prescription medications such as antibiotics and antidepressants […]
Sewage overspills result from lack of infrastructure investment, research shows
The recent uptick in sewage overspill events is due to infrastructure not keeping up with demand, according to Imperial College London research. The conclusion suggests other proposals for dealing with the problem – such as preventing blockages and separating rain and foul water – will not be enough to solve the issue of polluting sewage […]
Study: Sewage overspill in the Thames likely does not lead to COVID-19 risk
Researchers did not detect any SARS-CoV-2 in Thames water after raw sewage discharge, suggesting it is unlikely to be a route of transmission. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has been detected in wastewater and can be used to track outbreaks in populations. This has led researchers to question whether wastewater can also be a […]
River longer than the Thames beneath Antarctic ice sheet could affect ice loss
An unexpected river under the Antarctic ice sheet affects the flow and melting of ice, potentially accelerating ice loss as the climate warms. The 460km-long river is revealed in a new study, which details how it collects water at the base of the Antarctic ice sheet from an area the size of Germany and France […]
Biogas and biomethane supply chains contribute much to global methane emissions
A new Imperial analysis has found that biogas and biomethane, while more climate friendly, leak up to twice as much methane as previously thought.