UKWIR is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from expert partners to contribute to developing the knowledge, insight, and recommendations necessary to address various opportunities and challenges across the water cycle.
As a not-for-profit organisation, UKWIR facilitates, manages, and executes a strategic research programme designed to provide valuable benefits for water companies in the UK and Ireland. The organisation plays a crucial role in supporting water companies by delivering high-quality research that is recognised nationally and internationally for enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and resilience within the sector.
The latest research opportunities from UKWIR focus on addressing key challenges in the water industry. These include improving public health through enhanced river monitoring and coliform detection, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply by tackling source water changes and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, optimising infrastructure with improved leakage management and mains renewal strategies, and advancing environmental sustainability through nature-based solutions.
Mike Rose, chief executive of UKWIR, said, “These projects are vital for ensuring the water industry can adapt to modern analytical techniques and manage the complexities of the changing climate. By collaborating with a diverse and innovative panel of experts, UKWIR aims to support our members' critical business priorities by delivering actionable research and evidence to enhance water quality, improve the environment and protect public health.
“We are keen to hear from partners that will create new insight, value and solutions to support sector transformation and positive customer and environmental outcomes.”
UKWIR works closely with universities, research institutions, industry partners, and regulatory bodies to drive innovation and research in the UK water industry.
Expressions of interest are open until midnight on Friday, 11th April, for the following UKWIR projects:
Better health protection measures for rivers
Redefining coliforms
Calculating whole life costings and value of mains renewal methodologies
Understanding factors contributing to and affecting overall district metered area (DMA) leakage
Risk-assessing impacts of trade effluent and tankered waste on biosolids
Potential impacts of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in biosolids on environmental and human health
Improving approaches to demand forecasting
Potential implications of the recast Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
Event duration monitoring (EDM) real-time reporting - data interpretation
Wastewater/biosolids high quantity microplastics sampling & analysis method
Effective treatment of dilute sewage
Biological removal of taste and odour compounds
These projects aim to deliver substantial benefits by enhancing regulatory alignment and improving water companies' preparedness for changes in source water.
For detailed information about each project or to submit an expression of interest, visit: ukwir.org
