UKWIR chemicals programme shows source control works

(by Karma Loveday)

Source control measures such as product bans and phase-outs, alongside upgrades to the treatment process, are successfully reducing hazardous substances in water systems.

That’s according to latest findings from UK Water Industry Research’s (UKWIR) Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP), which is a long-running industry/regulator monitoring and research partnership. The CIP3 Trend Monitoring Project (2020-2025) showed downward trends in concentrations for 19 out of 20 of the chemicals monitored including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), tributyltin and lead.

The only exception to the downward trend was for dissolved mercury. Mercury enters the environment through a combination of geological and industrial processes such as mining, fossil fuel combustion, and waste incineration.

The CIP framework is agile, with the chemicals currently under monitoring in CIP4 (2025-30) and CIP5 (2030-35) subject to scientific and environmental evidence.

According to UKWIR: “By strengthening the evidence base on chemicals and helping to pinpoint the factors driving impacts in different places, CIP supports the White Paper’s call for more targeted interventions, clearer prioritisation, and sustained progress towards cleaner rivers and seas. In addition, by evidencing effective source control and targeted measures, CIP helps focus investment where it delivers the greatest benefit, supporting better value for water company customers.”

Jenni Hughes, strategic programme manager, UKWIR added: “The water industry isn't the source of these chemicals, and our data shows that when there is rigorous source control, the environment heals without the need for carbon-heavy, expensive interventions from utilities.

“This evidence-based approach is providing a blueprint for how the UK can tackle emerging compounds without defaulting to end-of-pipe solutions that would cost bill-payers significant sums.”

• UKWIR has announced its latest compendium of Expressions of Interest, inviting the research and supply chain community to bid on 11 projects centred around greenhouse gas emissions reduction, emerging pollutants, infrastructure resilience and systems thinking. The submission deadline is 27 March. Full details can be viewed here: https://ukwir.org/express-interest-in-ukwir-projects