Latest documents
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Publication of research on the Removal of Microplastics by Drinking Water Treatment Processes
Current water treatment processes represent an effective method for removing particles across a wide size range, and microplastics can be considered as another type of particle. Hence, this project aimed to provide a sound understanding of how current drinking water processes manage the presence of microplastics and whether their presence in potable water may pose […]
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Publication of research report “Organophosphorus Flame Retardants – Risk to Drinking Water in England and Wales”
DWI commissioned this literature review gap analysis project to understand whether OPFRs are likely to occur in source waters and drinking water. The project identified where data limitations exist and further work required to fill the evidence gap. View the full report and it’s findings
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Publication of research report “Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) – Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) Phase II”
The aim of this study was to confirm whether the nine DBPs found in the previous studies are formed under controlled conditions and if so whether these DBPs can be effectively removed by GAC post AOP. This study concluded that the nine DBPs do not form at significant levels during treatment by AOPs under a […]
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Research report on the Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the Analysis and Enumeration of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Drinking Water now published
This research was set up to investigate whether polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could be used to streamline the analysis of Cryptosporidium species in drinking water samples. The findings of this project demonstrated that a PCR method can be developed for the detection and to some extent enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water. Although the […]
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Publication of research report on Persistent, Mobile and Toxic Substances – Hazards to Drinking Water in England and Wales
This project was set up to critically review the approach proposed by the German Environment Agency and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute to identify PMT chemicals; refine, where necessary, the classification for the 58 chemicals based on available data; provide an understanding of the nature and volume of use of these chemicals in England and Wales; […]
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Publication of research report “Likelihood of three endocrine disrupting substances reaching drinking water”
EDCs are a diverse group of chemicals that have the potential to alter the normal functioning of the hormonal system across a wide range of wildlife and in humans (especially during early development). Their presence in a variety of applications and direct pathways for release to environment also means that EDCs could reach drinking water […]
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Publication of Research report “Viruses in Ground Water”
Groundwater sources provide approximately 30% of water supplies in England (and 5% in Wales). There are known to be over 100 microbiological pathogens that can contaminate groundwater, including viruses. Whilst water companies in England and Wales do include the risks from viruses in their drinking water safety plans, there is no monitoring for viruses conducted […]
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Publication of research on Long-term Strategies to Reduce Lead Exposure from Drinking Water
As a part of our ongoing research programme the Inspectorate commissioned a review of the currently available evidence on lead in drinking water and the possible long term strategies to reduce exposure. A range of scenarios has been costed, using the latest knowledge of the health effects of lead. These have been modelled and their […]
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Measures and tools for disinfection by products minimisation strategies
In the UK, legislation requires that DBP concentrations must be kept as low as possible without compromising the effectiveness of the disinfection. In addition, a prescribed concentration of 100 µg L-1 has been set for the sum of the concentrations of the four trihalomethanes (THMs) measured at the consumers tap. Although haloacetic acids (HAAs) are […]