University of Stirling
University of Stirling 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.
Researchers develop new method to monitor sewage pollution in rivers
Scientists at the University of Stirling have developed a new method of monitoring the presence of pathogens in rivers polluted by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The number of discharges from the sewage network into rivers and seas in the UK is increasing and studies have shown that effluent released by WWTPs contains pathogens that pose […]
Researchers to develop new water quality monitoring system
Researchers at the University of Stirling are to develop a new system for monitoring freshwater quality in the UK. Freshwater ecosystems are critical to biodiversity and human health, but they are under pressure from a range of catchment and climate stressors. The SenseH2O project will develop a cost-effective system for monitoring water quality in real […]
Scientists spending a penny to cut wastewater emissions
An experiment given the green light by University of Stirling experts could halve emissions from wastewater treatment facilities.
Study: Viruses can survive on microplastics in freshwater
Scientists have proven for the first time that viruses can survive and remain infectious by binding themselves to plastics in freshwater – raising concerns about the potential impact on human health. Rotavirus, which causes diarrhoea and an upset stomach, was found to survive for up to three days in lake water by attaching itself to […]
Harmful bacteria survive on wet wipes washed up on beaches, study finds
Harmful bacteria on sewage-associated plastic waste washed up on beaches can survive long enough to pose a risk to human health, new research has found. The team at the University of Stirling found "concentrated reservoirs" of fecal bacteria still present on waste such as wet wipes and cotton bud sticks on beaches in Scotland. Led […]
Net zero drive for the Scottish water sector
A new Scotland Hydro Nation initiative launched on World Water Day, 22 March, aims to drive Scotland’s water sector to net zero and beyond by 2040. The Hydro Nation Chair Research & Innovation Programme, hosted by the University of Stirling and funded by Scottish Water through the Scottish Funding Council, will bring research, industry and […]
Experts develop artificial intelligence to monitor water quality more effectively
Artificial intelligence that enhances remote monitoring of water bodies – highlighting quality shifts due to climate change or pollution – has been developed by researchers at the University of Stirling. A new algorithm – known as the ‘meta-learning’ method – analyses data directly from satellite sensors, making it easier for coastal zone, environmental and industry […]
Sewage poses potential COVID-19 transmission risk, experts warn
Environmental biologists at the University of Stirling have warned that the potential spread of COVID-19 via sewage “must not be neglected” in the battle to protect human health. The response to the global pandemic has focused upon preventing person-to-person transmission, however, experts now believe the virus could also be spread in wastewater. Earlier this week, […]
Beaver reintroduction key to solving freshwater biodiversity crisis
Reintroducing beavers to their native habitat is an important step towards solving the freshwater biodiversity crisis, according to experts at the University of Stirling.