F. Drinking Water Research
DWI involvement in drinking water research programmes.
Summary results of completed studies.
Details of ongoing research projects.
Introduction
The Inspectorate manages the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) Water Distribution, Conservation and Quality (WDCQ) research programme.
The WDCQ programme assists DETR and the National Assembly for Wales to formulate policy on the quality and regulation of water supplies.
The programme also enables DWI to make an input to international drinking water issues.
Information on WDCQ Research
Executive summaries of the WDCQ research reports and earlier Department of the Environment drinking water research reports, are posted on the Foundation for Water Research web site: www.fwr.org. This web site also contains details of how to obtain copies of research reports.
Enquiries should be addressed to DWI Enquiries, DWI, 2/A2 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.
Completed Research Projects
Area of Research Project summary Contractor Cryptosporidium Monitoring for Cryptosporidium in public water supplies at water treatment plant outlets using the regulatory continuous monitoring technique. Investigation of possible associations between operational parameters and concentrations of Cryptosporidium.
Low concentrations of Cryptosporidium, at significantly less than the regulatory standard, were detected occasionally at all sites. Some Cryptosporidium detections were associated with increases in clostridia or aerobic spore counts. Others were associated with particle size or turbidity measurements. However, no systematic correlation was observed between Cryptosporidium concentrations and any of the parameters studied.
Investigation of risk from Cryptosporidium in a sample of large, medium, and small private supplies and general review of outbreaks of drinking-water-related illnesses in areas served by private supplies. Intensive monitoring carried out for six-week periods in summer and autumn. Analysis for Cryptosporidium and Giardia using the regulatory continuous monitoring technique. Analysis for microbiological indicator parameters and selected pathogens also performed.
Protozoan parasites were detected at all sites, even those where general microbiological quality was high. There were generally higher detection rates in autumn and some detections were reported in supplies that consistently complied with microbiological indicator standards.
CREH Analytical Ltd
CREH Analytical LtdOther Health Risks and Monitoring Investigation of the susceptibility of Mycobacterium Avium complex (MAC) to removal and inactivation in water treatment and distribution systems. Development of culture techniques for isolation of MAC and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Map).
Optimised methodologies for detection of MAC and Map in water supply samples were developed. The rate of detection of MAC in source waters at the six study sites was reported as very low and no detections of Map were reported in source or treated water samples. The results indicate that exposure to MAC bacteria via drinking water is very low but further work has been proposed to assess whether biofilms provide a habitat for these organisms.
A study of the distribution of cases of Crohn's disease in relation to the provision of drinking water from surface water and groundwater sources.
Review of an ecological study on distribution of Crohn's disease indicated no correlation between incidence of cases and exposure to environmental waters. Results of a statistical analysis considering whether or not there is a relationship between source of drinking water and incidence of the disease will be published in summer 2001.
Development of an analytical method for steroid residues in environmental waters.
A methodology capable of detecting less than 1 ng/l of components of steroid residues in environmental waters has been developed. Results of inter-laboratory performance trails will be published in autumn 2001.
Public Health Laboratory Service
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Horseracing Forensic Laboratory and LGC (Teddington)
Materials testing and approval Phase 2 of a study on the potential for endocrine disruptors to leach from approved water supply products. Characterisation of worst-case scenarios within domestic water supply systems.
The effects on water quality of leaching from polymeric pipe and tank materials on water quality were studied in domestic installations. None of the results indicated an unacceptable level of exposure to substances migrating from the polymeric materials.
A review of compliance of approved granular activated carbon (GAC) filter media with the limits for leaching of toxic metals prescribed in the European Standard for GAC.
A number of the products tested did not comply with the toxic metal limits prescribed in the European Standard. A meeting between the water industry and suppliers is being organised to discuss improved quality assurance requirements.
The Water Quality Centre
The Water Quality Centre
Mutagenicity testing on 3-monochloro propane 2-diol (3-MCPD). Study commissioned following imposition of stricter conditions of use on polyamine flocculants in public water supplies.
The results were considered by the Committee on Mutagenicity, which advised that 3-MCPD has no significant genotoxic potential in vivo. The Committee on Carcinogenicity, advised that 3-MCPD was unlikely to present a carcinogenic risk to man, provided that the exposure was 1000 times lower than the No Observed Effect Level for tumorigenicity.
Covance Laboratories Current Research Projects
Area of Research Brief Detail Contractor Cryptosporidium To develop a genetic typing system for Cryptosporidium, development of gene probes to characterise the surfaces of oocysts is being carried out to trace sources of outbreaks and sporadic infections.
West Cumbria epidemiological study (commissioned in 1995); an ongoing study that is now investigating whether upgrading of water treatment processes has an impact on the reported levels of incidence of cryptosporidiosis. The study is also investigating whether installation of treatment is accompanied by any changes in the sero-prevalence status of the population.
Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health
West Cumbria Health AuthorityMaterials testing and approval Technical support for a DWI sponsored CEN Workshop Agreement on membranes for drinking water treatment. The workshop is seeking to develop an international consensus on approval testing for drinking water treatment membranes. Further details are available on the CEN web site at
BSI and WRc Other Health Risks and Monitoring Collaboration with the American Water Works Association to evaluate techniques for monitoring the integrity of low-pressure membrane processes for drinking water treatment.
Support for review of WHO guidelines for drinking water. The contractor has produced a report evaluating progress achieved during the WHO review meetings.
American Water Works Association Research Foundation
Warren AssociatesWater Supply within Consumers’ Premises Review of international standards for re-use of grey water. Proposals will be incorporated into CIRIA’s final report: Buildings That Save Water. Review of the application of rainwater infiltration systems.
Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)
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Drinking Water Inspectorate,
Floor 2/A1, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DE
Telephone : 020 7944 5956 - Facsimile : 020 7944 5969
E-mail: dwi_enquiries@detr.gov.uk
Published 11 July 2001
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