UKWIR (UK Water Business Analysis) is now in search of expressions of curiosity (EOI) from professional companions or consortiums “capable of ship focused analysis initiatives tackling the largest points going through the water sector.”

The group is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates, manages, and delivers a strategic programme of analysis initiatives for water corporations within the UK and Eire.

The 21 analysis initiatives fall beneath UKWIR’s 11 Large Questions (BQs). UKWIR says it developed the BQs to handle the trade’s key challenges, recognized by way of intensive session. Matters embody delivering sustainable wastewater companies, zero uncontrolled sewer discharges, attaining zero clients in water poverty, in addition to zero leakage and 0 interruptions to provide.

“Our initiatives are knowledgeable by the enter of water corporations, academia, and different stakeholders. This ensures that the analysis is related to the wants of the trade and that the outcomes might be successfully carried out,” mentioned Steve Kaye, UKWIR chief govt.

“UKWIR is a worthwhile useful resource for water corporations within the UK and Eire. It helps them to remain forward of the curve, drive enhancements for the atmosphere and clients, and to fulfill the challenges of the twenty first century.”

Kaye added that UKWIR’s objective is to assist water corporations handle urgent points by funding analysis initiatives that develop new understanding, data, strategies and strategies to enhance the water trade’s effectivity, effectiveness, sustainability and resilience.

Expressions of curiosity are open till midnight on Sunday 1 October 2023 for the next initiatives:

Large Query 1 – How will we halve freshwater abstraction in a sustainable approach by 2050?
· Environmental vacation spot investigation framework and understanding the influence of local weather change on river well being/ecology

Large Query 2 – How will we obtain zero leakage in a sustainable approach by 2050?
· Optimising the number of pipes for renewal to scale back leakage
· Use of fashions to find out the dimensions and more than likely location of buyer facet leakage
· A evaluation of the success of earlier mains renewal strategies and an summary of latest strategies

Large Query 3 – How will we obtain zero interruptions to water provide by 2050?
· Optimising and balancing short-term operational interventions with long-term capital upkeep to enhance water provide interruptions
· Understanding water infrastructure dangers – main bursts, visitors volumes and the situation of highway infrastructure

Large Query 4 – How will we obtain 100% compliance with consuming water requirements at level of use by 2050?
· Destiny and disposal of persistent and rising contaminants captured throughout potable water therapy
· Sustainable granular activated carbon (GAC) regeneration
· Chemical-free water therapy and alternate options to conventional clarification processes
· How will local weather change have an effect on uncooked water high quality?
· Detection and administration of ingress into tanks

Large Query 5 – How will we ship an environmentally sustainable wastewater service that meets buyer and regulator expectations by 2050?
· What course of choices can be found for therapy of hazardous chemical substances at level of entry to sewer?
· Feasibility research on polluter pays monitoring and prolonged producer duty

Large Query 6 – How will we obtain zero uncontrolled discharges from sewers by 2050?
· Understanding the chances of latest approaches and requirements from a data- wealthy sewer community
· A holistic evaluation of the influence of decreasing the operation of sewer overflows on natural load to works, sludge manufacturing, carbon and greenhouse gasoline emissions
· FOG charging – ought to foodservice wastewater expenses replicate fat oils and grease (FOG) content material?
· Drainage Water Administration Plans – drawing conclusions and defining finest observe from cycle 1 supply

Large Query 8 – Methods to proceed creating optimistic worth by way of asset administration resolution making?
· Frequent definition and calculation of asset well being
· Criticality and worth of information in supporting asset administration decision- making

Large Query 11 – How will we maximise restoration of helpful sources and obtain zero waste by 2050?
· Response to Nationwide Bioresources Technique – prioritisation of alternatives
· Round economic system – water therapy sludges

These initiatives will ship important monetary, environmental and societal advantages for the atmosphere, water sector and clients.

For detailed details about every mission, or to submit an expression of curiosity for a particular mission, go to: ukwir.org/ukwir-projects-open-to-expressions-of-interest.