11 Mar 2025

The Hidden Sands project hopes new hi-tech surveillance could improve the enforcement of sand mining regulations and improve resilience for these riverbed communities.   Photo by Pok Rie   Sand plays a central role in modern society (e.g. smartphones – high-purity silica sand is essential for making silicon chips) and urban development (e.g. skyscrapers – […]

20 Feb 2025

New published research has found that chlorinating drinking water at levels common in the United States and European Union probably increases the risk of several cancers.     The process of disinfecting water with chlorine creates trihalomethane (THM) byproducts, which are found in virtually all public drinking water systems across the US and EU – […]

20 Feb 2025

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), the leading research organisation for the UK water industry, has announced the appointment of Mike Rose as new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.   Photo credit: UKWIR   With a career including senior positions in utilities and global consultancy organisations, Rose brings diverse experience to UKWIR. His appointment comes […]

13 Feb 2025

New research published in New Scientist says that severe droughts that persist for years have grown hotter, drier and larger since the 1980s. These long-lasting droughts – some of which are extreme enough to be classified as “megadroughts” – can be especially devastating to agriculture and ecosystems.   Photo credit: Yusuf Gündüz   Rising temperatures […]

21 Nov 2024

New research published by Cambridge University Press highlights how  the integrated water systems (IWSs) concept involves managing water quantity and quality through dynamic interactions.   Photo credit: Brian Gomez   This paper reviews the terrestrial water cycle, focusing on resilience and adaptive planning (AP) approaches within IWSs. We examine how integrating these approaches can improve […]

06 Nov 2024

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a series of reports on future projections of water resource and demand in the UK. The reports include: Analysis of outputs – A report discussing future projections of UK river flows impacted by water abstraction or discharge under different warming scenarios, up to 2080. Hydrological […]

06 Nov 2024

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) has published a response to the National Bioresources Strategy. The report looks at priorities for resource recovery opportunities, arguing that valuable constituents in wastewater and bioresources could provide resources and support the achievement of a circular economy and net zero carbon ambitions.   Photo credit: Nithin PA   This project […]

02 Oct 2024

New research has found high levels of antibiotics and other drugs have been found in water in the country’s most treasured and protected landscapes, raising concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The research, published in August in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, revealed that many of the UK waterways, including protected rivers that run through national parks, […]