innovative and collaborative research · asset management consequences of asset failure on service...

J u l y2012

innovative and collaborative research

1

Portfolio - through Collaboration

Innovation

On 25th April this year WRc hosted a very successful Open Innovation Day bringing together representatives of water and wastewater companies, experts, technologists and innovators able to provide solutions to the industry's problems. The theme of the day was “Innovation through Collaboration” which permeated the various activities including workshops, technology showcases, presentations from innovation leaders and tours of the facilities at WRc. The day was a launch pad for some new initiatives, engaging key players in the industry, to collaborate in meeting the challenges that we face now and in the future.

One of the existing successful vehicles for collaboration is WRc's Portfolio programme and in this brochure we have compiled a selection of proposals, developed in consultation with our clients, which meet current needs. With PR14 fast approaching companies are looking for comprehensive methods to create robust business cases for solutions in AMP 6 and this is particularly relevant when proposing new innovative technology or approaches. Catchment Management schemes are going to feature prominently in water companies business plans and WRc's recent experience involved in quantifying benefits of these schemes allows us to offer some timely collaborative projects in this area.

A key outcome from the Open Innovation Day was recognition from all stakeholders that the current pace of technology development and implementation will not be sufficient for us to meet the challenges. WRc is exploring ways in which we can facilitate and accelerate uptake of innovative solutions using our technical expertise, independence and contacts across the industry and a number of proposals in this brochure address this.

Finally good projects do not bring benefits until they are implemented and embedded into end users activities. WRc is keen to address implementation routes throughout the course of a project and to aid this has introduced an implementation section into the one page project descriptions. We would welcome your feedback on this and any other suggestions on how WRc can continue to facilitate implementation and bring maximum benefits from projects.

Ian WalkerWRc Innovation Director

You can contact me on: Tel: +44 (0) 1793 865155 Email: [email protected] or on LinkedIn

July 2012

Topic Title Ref. Page

Area

Metering

Asset Management Whole life cost effective jointing techniques for PE pipes CP479 5

Asset Management Demonstrating efficient capital maintenance expenditure CP480 6

Asset Management Asset planning for improved resilience against drought CP481 7

Drinking Water Quality Rapid tracking of hydrocarbon in drinking water CP482 8

Water Treatment Towards chemical free treatment CP483 9

Water Treatment DBP risk management CP484 10

Drinking Water Quality Reducing white water contacts CP485 11

Sewerage Implementation of blockage diagnosis in sewers CP486 12

Sewerage Defining & managing health risks from sewage flooding CP467 13

Wastewater Treatment Drainage area based phosphorus control CP487 14

Wastewater Treatment Phosphorus & metal consent requirements CP488 15

Wastewater Treatment Advanced aeration efficiency CP489 16

Waste Energy from waste - State of the art technology CP490 17

Waste Co-digestion - A full scale practical test CP491 18

Waste Quality protocol for beneficial recovery of screenings CP492 19

Technology Dev. Health effects of thermosetting resins for pipe lining CP493 20

Technology Dev. Adoption of flow amplifying devices in sewer management CP494 21

Monitoring Trial of wastewater dissolved oxygen monitors CP477 22

Instrumentation Instrumentation use in challenging applications CP495 23

Catchment Mgt. Quantifying Benefits of Catchment Management Forum CP496 24

Catchment Mgt. Maximising information from catchment management data CP497 25

Catchment Mgt. Mapping ecosystem services CP498 26

Innovative full-bore hydrant insertion meter development CP476 4

2

New Proposed Projects Targeted atCurrent Issues and Problems

Full proposals are available on request and summaries for all completed, current and proposed projects can be found at .

We are continuing to offer a 10% “early bird” discount to those customers who let us know which new projects they are interested in by the , provided a confirmed order is received by the . An Expression of Interest Form is included for your convenience.

www.waterportfolio.com

4th September 20122nd October 2012

2012

Topic Title Ref. Page

Area

Metering District and commercial meters - The next generation CP461 27

Instrumentation IUG - Sharing knowledge & experience (2012-2013) CP378 27

Water Treatment Water treatment disinfection forum CP404 28

Water Treatment Climate change, algal growth & mgt. of water supply CP450 28

Waste Development of a rapid test for anaerobic digestion CP459 29

Waste A move toward zero waste CP471 29

Water Distribution New methods for service reservoir inspection CP464 30

Sewerage Sewer blockage clearance - Good practice guide CP468 30

Sewerage Piecing together the benefits of modular construction CP469 31

Data Management Practical guidance to improve telemetry data quality CP473 31

Data Management Geographical information user group 2012-14 CP024 32

Asset Management Consequences of asset failure on service in distribution CP463 32

3

Ongoing Collaborative ProjectsYou Can Buy Into 2012

Full proposals are available on request and summaries for all completed, current and proposed projects can be found at .

We are continuing to offer a 10% “early bird” discount to those customers who let us know which new projects they are interested in by the , provided a confirmed order is received by the . An Expression of Interest Form is included for your convenience.

www.waterportfolio.com


Project Appreciation and Objectives

Business Benefits to Clients

Work Programme

Project Output and Implementation

Related WRc Work

The water industry has identified a need for a low cost solution for temporary flow monitoring in the network for, amongst other applications, hydraulic model calibration, leakage investigations, water accounting and investigation of anomalies in flows at DMA or sub-DMA levels.

The primary objective of this project is to engage with potential suppliers to facilitate accelerated development and market entry of an insertion flow measurement device that will pass through a full-bore hydrant and measure flows in a clean water network.

• Independent evaluation of low cost solutions for temporary flow monitoring.• More informed decision making by procurement departments.• Cost effective method of engaging with a number of suppliers.

1. Approach and engage with short-listed suppliers.2. Evaluate and test prototypes developed by suppliers.3. Prepare a report detailing the testing results.

• The project will deliver an agreement with a supplier(s) to provide an innovative insertion meter,which can be deployed through an open bore hydrant that is backed up by independentevaluation and validation test data.

• This will be supported by a report that will include records of liaison with suppliers, the testprotocols, the results of the testing work, a technical review of potential devices and a matrixmatching instruments to the technical requirements.

• This will be used by water distribution strategy managers to plan and implement studies usingappropriate flow monitoring equipment and by procurement for informed equipment and supplierselection.

• Feasibility Study for Metering Through Full-bore Hydrants, 2011-2012.• New Method for the Inspection of Sewage Rising Mains, 2009-2011. • CP378 WRc Instrument User Group, 2008-2011.

4

CP476

Innovative Full-Bore HydrantInsertion Meter Development

PRICE

£16,050

DURATION

15 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Andy Godley

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865060

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Metering

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

New polyethylene (PE) pipes do not offer the leak-free solution previously envisaged, mainly due to the conditions found on site and the level of skill required to carry out the jointing work. With industry estimates of one in five site-made joints leaking or failing, each new PE pipe laid has the potential to further contribute to water losses. Leaks on PE pipes are also typically harder to find. The reasons for most failures in PE pipes are understood: the correct choice of joint type together with the appropriate level of training and supervision can reduce the risk of premature failure and the cost of remedial work during the lifetime of the pipeline.

Understanding leakage from a growing cohort of PE pipes and a focus on reducing unwanted customer contacts to minimise SIM scores are leading to closer examination of joint selection and site practice. It is therefore timely to quantify the costs and benefits of different PE jointing methods to inform future company policy.

This project will deliver quantified relationships related to PE installation methods which will help participants to determine the most cost effective route when designing and procuring new PE schemes. The resultant model framework will allow practitioners to take account of the benefits and avoided costs from alternative policies on site supervision, training, reliability and suitability of jointing methods.

• More informed decision making on future spend on product, supervision and installationcontracts.

• Understanding the influence that procurement choices and working practices have on leakageand customer service.

1. Develop a robust method of calculating the whole life costs of PE pipe joints.2. Quantify the costs associated with purchasing, installation and ensuring quality.3. Quantify the potential for avoiding cost (i.e. benefits) of later repair interventions by

understanding factors which impact on the leak flow rate from PE joints. 4. Provide a cost-benefit tool to allow companies to assess the most cost-effective jointing

technique for a range of circumstances e.g. by location, diameter, local environmental conditions.5. Prepare worked examples to demonstrate how the cost-benefit assessment tool may be

implemented.

• Spreadsheet tool constructed in MS Excel 2010 to assess the whole life costs and benefits ofdifferent PE jointing methods and assist in developing future product purchasing and installationcontract requirements.

• User editable parameters allow asset planners to incorporate their own schedule of rates, product selection and contractual arrangements.

• A report detailing model data sources, methods of quantification of costs and benefits, and worked examples will support implementation of the tool.

• Cost benefit analyses and economic level of leakage assessments for water companies.• Mains interventions - Improving benefits valuation, CP338, 2010.• True consequences of asset failure on service in distribution, CP463, ongoing.

5

CP479

Whole Life Cost Effective JointingTechniques for PE Pipes

PRICE

£16,500

DURATION

9 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Julia Trew

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865151

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Asset Management

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Stage A of the Capital Maintenance Planning Common Framework (CMPCF) requires companies to calculate trends in levels of both expenditure and serviceability/asset performance measures. This is essential if historical expenditure is to be linked with accrued customer service benefits. Attention in previous Price Reviews was focussed on proposed changes to historical levels of expenditure and justifying any change. However, the wider question of whether the historical level of expenditure was itself efficient needs to be addressed, particularly as Ofwat is looking to companies to provide customer supported levels of serviceability and demonstrate efficient spend across their entire business plan. This is a challenge since sufficient, good quality data to support the Stage A assessment are not always available.

The project objective is to promote and illustrate good practice in demonstrating the customer service benefits of capital maintenance expenditure. Particular focus will be given to approaches which produce a credible business plan where historical data are limited. WRc will illustrate good practice by collecting information on a sample of historical capital schemes, associated serviceability measures and more detailed performance indicators, across each of the four Ofwat sub-service categories.

• Confidence that the demonstration of efficient spend in their business plan is in line with Ofwat'sexpectations.

1. Hold a Project Initiation Workshop to establish project priorities. These priorities will set thescope for compilation of the evidence base and define the data requirement. Ofwat haveindicated that they will participate in the workshop.

2. Conduct site visits and complete data collection. WRc will visit each participating company toinvestigate current and past approaches used to demonstrate efficient spend in the priority areas.The evidence base requires data input from participating companies, the site visits will facilitatedata collection.

3. Compile individual company reports containing information gathered during site visits andcustomised recommendations for focus areas. Compile a good practice report illustrated withevidence base examples.

A Good Practice Guide for demonstrating efficient capital maintenance expenditure aimed at providing practical guidance to investment planners / asset strategy teams, supported by:

• Individual company reports identifying areas which require further investigation together withrecommended approaches for PR14.

• Individual company WebEx sessions to disseminate outputs and accelerate routes toimplementation.

• CP419 Improving AMA through Data Quality.• CP399 Integrated Distribution Management: A Common Approach to Risk.• CP434 SIM: Understanding the Impact of Interventions.

6

CP480

Demonstrating Efficient CapitalMaintenance Expenditure

PRICE

£19,750

DURATION

9 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Mark Kowalski

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865080

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Asset Management

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

The need to introduce temporary use bans earlier in 2012 to preserve water resources in the south and east of England following a prolonged period of below-average rainfall has raised questions over the water sectors' level of resilience to severe drought. The Water Act 2003 made it a statutory requirement for water companies to produce and maintain a Drought Plan every three years. Given other environmental pressures such as population growth and limited or no capacity for additional abstraction of water resources in many catchments, there is a growing need to understand the probability and consequences of severe drought across all asset groups (not just water resources) such that contingency plans and adaptation measures can be tested and enacted.

The objective of the project is to deliver a quantified understanding of the probability of severe drought across the UK both now and in the future, and provide asset strategy and policy teams with a comprehensive checklist of strategic and operational consequences of severe drought, by asset group, tailored to participating companies' levels of resilience.

• Best available estimates of severe drought probability for multiple sites in your water companyarea to inform water resource and drought planning.

• A further opportunity to share experiences and discuss drought resilience issues with otherparticipants.

• Independent review of your company's resilience to severe drought, and recommendations forimprovement.

• Improved understanding of the contribution of individual asset groups to your company's overalldrought resilience.

1. Provide estimates of the probability of severe drought of a given duration in each participant'sregion, both now and under future climate scenarios, using the best available observational dataand multi-site stochastic rainfall simulation techniques.

2. Conduct interviews with staff from each participating water company to understand currentdrought measures.

3. Based on evidence gleaned and WRc technical expertise, make recommendations to improveresilience against drought across the asset base.

4. Produce overarching technical summary report plus confidential bespoke company reports,communicated at company-specific dissemination workshops.

• Comprehensive report aimed at asset policy teams and water resource planners comprisinggeneric methods of estimating probability of severe drought and simulation results andsummarising common themes from individual company research.

• Company-specific report detailing findings from the company review, that can be used by assetstrategy and operational teams to improve resilience to severe drought.

• Probability and Consequences of Multi-Year Drought (Water Utility Client, 2012).• The Implications of Cold Weather on Nitrification Treatment Processes (UKWIR, 2011).

7

CP481

Asset Planning for ImprovedResilience against Severe Drought

Index

PRICE

£19,750

DURATION

9 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Mark Kowalski

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865080

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Asset Management



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Taste and odour complaints are often tracked back to the presence of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, with chemical analysis revealing a spectrum of compounds, usually at low concentrations. Water companies can readily access information on the potential risk to human health of these compounds, but they find it difficult to quickly determine their most likely source, and therefore to stop or prevent further contamination. Individual proprietary or generic hydrocarbon products have characteristic analytical profiles which can be influenced by the contamination route: direct spill, permeation through pipes, through soil, etc; if companies could cross reference to these “fingerprints” then they would be able to more rapidly identify the likely source of contamination.

This project will create a look-up-table of analytical profiles for hydrocarbon-based products (e.g. diesel, petrol, heating oil, domestic solvents and oils) cross-referenced with different sources of contamination (e.g. permeation of plastic pipes, joints and valves). The list will be based on current information from the literature, WRc and the water companies' own experiences, together with controlled laboratory research to establish spectra of hydrocarbons with different products and potential contamination sources.

• Quicker resolution of hydrocarbon contamination and a quicker return to the “wholesomeness” ofwater.

• Identification of likely sources of contamination leading to improved risk mitigation and thereforeless likelihood of repeat contamination.

• Less repeat laboratory analysis saving time and money.• A reduction in customer complaints and reporting to DWI.

1. Review of WRc's National Centre for Environmental Toxicology (NCET) enquiries onhydrocarbon contamination known sources to identify any specific “spectrographic fingerprints” ofhydrocarbon sources, supported by a literature review of the behaviour of hydrocarbons on waterpipes and fittings.

2. Collate analytical information and hydrocarbon profiles from manufacturers of commonhydrocarbon based chemicals that may end up in the water supply.

3. Collate information from relevant water companies' laboratories to determine which analyticaltechniques are used (so the project output is directly applicable to the water companies'laboratories) and any existing information linking a specific hydrocarbon “fingerprint” to a knowncontamination source.

4. Laboratory-based experiments to establish a “spectrographic fingerprint” of commonhydrocarbon based chemicals and the mobility and preferential movement of these chemicalsthrough various water pipes and fittings.

• A look-up-table and decision tree linking the presence/absence of specific hydrocarbons to themost likely source of contamination (product and route).

• This tool would be used with the UKWIR Toxicity Datasheets by incident managers to minimisethe risk and duration of exposure of customers to hydrocarbon contamination.

• The Toxicity Advisory Service run by NCET on behalf of UKWIR.• WRc-NSF runs a standard test for permeation of pipes by organic compounds.

8

CP482

Rapid Tracking of HydrocarbonContamination in Drinking Water

Index

PRICE

£15,500

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Paul Rumsby

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865153

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Drinking Water Quality



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

The aspiration for chemical free water treatment is a recurring theme in many Strategic Direction Statements. This is driven partly by uncertainties over long term availability/affordability of treatment chemicals, but there is also a combination of concerns over embedded carbon, environmental impact of waste disposal, complex operating and control requirements, handling hazards and the view that chemicals are retrograde end-of-pipe solutions.

Reduction in the use of chemicals might be achieved in a number of ways, one of which is improvement in raw water quality through catchment management.

The project will identify the cost and carbon footprint savings that can be achieved in water treatment through defined improvements in raw water quality, to provide a process for identifying and prioritising appropriate catchment management options to achieve these improvements.

• Demonstration to regulators of strengthened links between drinking water safety plans and WFDdriven river basin management plans, with quantification of the benefits.

• Increased confidence in medium to long term planning for reducing reliance on chemicals.• Financial and carbon footprint justification for catchment management options for AMP6 and

beyond.

1. Collation of information on the costs and embedded carbon associated with each watertreatment chemical/material, with likely future cost escalation or limitations on availability;assessment of the benefits and risks associated with the use and avoided use of each chemical.

2. Quantification of the reductions in costs and embedded carbon (and any other benefits) that canbe achieved through defined improvements in raw water quality.

3. Identification of catchment management options that can provide these improvements in rawwater quality.

4. Development of a methodology for site-specific implementation based on comparisons of thecosts and carbon implications of catchment management options with those for reducedchemical use.

A methodology for identifying site-specific catchment measures that will provide quantifiable benefits from reduced chemical use in water treatment, together with up-to-date information on the costs and carbon footprint of treatment chemicals which can be used for future cost projections in business plans. These will enable the further development of the business case for continued investment in catchment management.

• Comprehensive knowledge of water treatment through a wide range of projects for watercompanies over many years.

• UKWIR Quantifying the benefits of water quality catchment management initiatives - a benefitassessment framework.

• UKWIR Carbon accounting workbook.

9

CP483

Catchment Management RoutesTowards Chemical Free Treatment

Index

PRICE

£15,000

DURATION

9 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Tom Hall

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865065

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Water Treatment

Innovation through Collaboration

Innovation Day Follow-up



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Regulation 26 (or Regulation 27 in Wales) requires disinfection by-products (DBPs) to be kept as low as possible without compromising disinfection. Focus has been on the regulated DBPs, mainly the trihalomethanes, but the increasing emphasis on a risk-based approach for water supply management is likely to make consideration of other DBPs a regulatory priority. The very wide range of known DPBs makes routine monitoring for them all impractical. However, applying knowledge of the factors which lead to formation of specific types of DPBs would allow Drinking Water Safety Plans to identify which DBPs pose the greatest risk. These factors include:

• raw water quality and precursor concentrations,• treatment design and operation,• ability of treatment processes to remove precursors and DBPs.

The objective of the work is to allow water companies to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements for minimising DBP formation for specific water treatment works, without the need for widespread sampling and costly analysis.

• Demonstration to regulators that an appropriate range of DPBs have been included in DWSPsrisk assessments.

• Defence against future public concerns arising over DBP risks.• A much more cost-effective approach than sampling and analysis for specific DBPs.

This work will develop a detailed risk assessment process for incorporation into DWSPs to ensure that regulatory requirements for minimising DPB formation are identified for specific treatment works. This will be achieved through:

1. A review of published information on DBPs worldwide, to identify water quality and treatmentconditions influencing formation, and evaluate relative toxicity.

2. Identification and prioritisation of those DBPs of potential concern under UK water supplyconditions.

3. Development of a risk assessment process to identify and prioritise risk for defined water qualityand treatment conditions, taking into account toxicity of the individual DBPs identified andmitigation measures, including through treatment modification or catchment management.

• A risk assessment and mitigation framework for inclusion in company DWSPs to allow risks froma wide range of DBPs to be identified and managed.

• Detailed implementation guidance, with supporting information on types of DBPs, precursors,routes of, and factors influencing, formation, removal by treatment and toxicology, will enablethose responsible for maintaining and applying DWSPs to quickly get benefit from this work.

• Development of best practice guidance on disinfection for water treatment.• Management of the UKWIR Toxicity Datasheets and toxicology support service to the industry.• Development of risk assessment approaches for water supply.

CP484

DBPRisk Management

10

PRICE

£14,950

DURATION

9 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Tom Hall

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865065

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Water Treatment

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

“White water” (WW) - microbubbles of air that give water a milky appearance - is the reason for about 20% of all customer water quality contacts. The frequency of WW contacts has implications for company costs and the Service Incentive Mechanism (SIM) score and DWI expects companies to improve operational practice to reduce contacts.

There is substantial variation in WW contact frequency between companies and varying success in reducing contacts. The differences may relate to the nature of individual networks, maintenance practice, rehabilitation practice, or other factors.

The project aims to identify and rank the key causes of WW contacts and from this develop detailed guidance on diagnosing causes together with strategies for resolving them and preventing recurrence.

• Reduced customer contacts, with direct positive impact on SIM scores and reduced costsassociated with responding to WW complaints. The project is also expected to identifyimprovements in network intervention practices and network design.

1. The occurrence and associated causes of WW will be documented, drawing from WRc'sprevious investigations, water companies own experience, and other public and non-publicsources.

2. Existing knowledge from within contributors companies will be collated to assess current statusof white water contacts and the success or failure of past strategies.

3. The WW contact data will be analysed for contributing factors, such as location, seasonality,linkage to rehabilitation events, temperature rise, and network components (pumps, air valves,dead-ends).

4. A system for diagnosing and investigating the cause/source of the WW will be developed,together with options for mitigating and preventative actions. The application of DO measurementand monitoring to both locate a problem and demonstrate that a solution has been effective willbe included.

A strategy and tools for investigating and diagnosing WW customer contacts, including key questions for customer call centre operatives to ask on initial contact, a guide for operational staff to use on initial response, specific recommendations for in-depth investigations, guidelines formaintenance staff and contractors to minimise the risk of WW generation, and methods for follow up monitoring to determine the effectiveness of actions taken.

• On-going UKWIR project to explore the cost benefit analysis of ubiquitous monitoring of waterquality in distribution systems (2011-2012).

• Collaborative investigation of the benefits of real time monitoring of DO in water distributionnetworks (2008 and 2010).

• Past investigation of the potential causes of white water (1999).

CP485

Reducing WhiteWater Contacts

11

PRICE

£14,650

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Mark Watts

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865158

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Drinking Water Quality

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

There were over 200,000 sewer blockages on public sewers and lateral drains in the United Kingdom in 2009. A significant proportion of these blockages caused either internal flooding or an external pollution event. These problems are no longer regarded as acceptable by the public, complaints relating to sewer blockages are the largest single cause of unwanted customer contacts (i.e. high SIM scores) in wastewater services.

There are a number of ways that the number of blockage incidents can be reduced, including proactive intervention and to fully implement this approach, there is still a need to better understand the cause of blockages.

In project CP424, WRc, in association with the University of Exeter, developed and undertook an initial calibration of a Blockage cause diagnosis tool to predict the likelihood of a blockage in a sewer. This tool, which is based on attributes of the sewer and the properties served, allows the investigator to identify the cause of the blockages and assess the impact/cost-benefits of various interventions.

This project will test the tool in a series of practical trials in a wide range catchments where blockages are a significant problem. These trials will allow users to gain confidence in the use of the tool, help determine its effectiveness and improve calibration and therefore its accuracy. A risk based element, allowing the user to take into account the likelihood of internal or external flooding and environmental pollution will be added to the tool.

• A proven methodology to assess where a proactive blockage intervention policy would be mostbeneficial.

• Greater confidence and experience in using the tool leading to better selection of the mostappropriate intervention methods.

• Reduced numbers of blockages, flooding and environmental pollution incidents and reducednumber of unwanted customer contacts and improved customer reputation.

• Associated operational cost savings.

1. Trial the blockage tool in a wide range of blockage prone catchments (age, catchment type,location and demographics), to assess both its accuracy and ease of use.

2. Improve the accuracy of the tool through further calibration and validation, for example the effectof hot food establishments on fats/oils/grease related blockages.

3. Introduce new features into the tool, for example certain demographic factors such as propertyownership.

4. Introduce a facility for the user to include consequence of blockage into the model (e.g. internalor external flooding and environmental pollution).

An improved blockage cause diagnosis tool, including a new risk based element and guidance on its use. This will be used by sewerage strategy managers and practitioners in sewerage operations to implement a proactive intervention policy and thus reap the associated benefits.

• Development of a Blockage - Cause Diagnosis Tool, CP424, 2011-2012.• Effect of reduced water usage on sewer solids movement, CP367, 2009.• Blockages in small diameter pipes, CP283/283a, 2007.

12

CP486

Implementation of BlockageDiagnosis in Sewers

PRICE

£15,050

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Nick Orman

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865117

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Sewerage

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Water companies have faced difficulties when dealing with the aftermath of sewage flooding. Previously, WRc's risk assessment model established a more valid basis for responding and gave reassurance to water companies over the effectiveness of their remedial actions. Largely, the response focused on safeguarding public health, and only from pathogens likely to be encountered in sewage.

Since then, enquiries to WRc have revealed that water companies are experiencing a range of issues associated with the consequences of sewage flooding on agricultural activities. In the absence of a proper risk assessment, a very precautionary approach has been adopted by those organisations advising on an appropriate response. It is becoming difficult for water companies to settle claims for compensation effectively. This was supported by discussion with National Flood School which has witnessed escalating claims for domestic sewage flooding with settlement increasingly protracted and more costly for both water companies and insurance companies.

Extending and revising the original risk assessment will put water companies in a much more robust position when responding to sewage flooding incidents. This will be achieved by incorporating risks from chemicals, assessing risks to livestock and domestic animals, and checking the validity of the original data and assumptions from recent sources of information. Gaining approval from organisations (e.g. Association of British Insurers, Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) and the National Farmers Union) representing the interests of those affected will greatly improve the acceptability of the risk assessment.

The purpose of this study is to permit water companies to respond to a wider range of sewage flooding incidents in a consistent, effective and proportionate manner without putting public and animal health at risk.

• An improved strategy for managing sewage flooding that has the approval of organisationslooking after the interests of those affected.

• Resolving compensation claims in a timely and cost effective manner and to the satisfaction of allparties.

1. Update and extend the scope of the risk assessment model using recognised sources of data.2. Gain approval from relevant organisations on the validity of the risk assessment.

• A fully revised risk assessment with extended capability and manual of good practice for use byIncident Managers to respond to events more effectively.

• The model will be available for incorporation into each participating water companies workingpractices for incident management.

• Independent advisory service on health significance of micro-organisms in drinking water(UKWIR on-going).

• Risk assessment of verotoxigenic E.coli in public and private water supplies, (DWI 2012, jointlywith the University of East Anglia).

• Sewerage flood risk assessment model, (WRc Portfolio CP108 (2005) and CP108B 2007).

13

CP467

Defining and Managing HealthRisks from Sewage Flooding

PRICE

£15,000

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Robert Pitchers

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865141

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Sewerage

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Under Environmental Permitting Regulations, the UK Environment Agency aims to increase its focus on higher risk and poorly performing wastewater treatment works (WwTWs). A well-known problem at existing small WwTWs, defined as serving less than 25,000 pe (Ofwat), is chemical over-dosing or under-dosing for phosphate removal with risk to permit compliance.

Comprehensive active control systems to adjust chemical dose in response to measured soluble phosphate concentration can be installed cost-effectively at large WwTWs to reduce chemical usage and save costs. At small WwTWs, load proportional passive control system are commonly installed that use a pre-loaded profile to vary the chemical dose with the time of day. An accurate profile is needed to avoid over-dosing (e.g. 20%).

The project aims to develop a drainage-area-based model taking account of population characteristics, trade effluent profile and background 'P' in surface run-off, to increase the accuracy of the pre-loaded profile under both dry weather and wet weather conditions.

• Ability to quantify drainage-area specific characteristics, generate more robust P compliance atsmall WwTWs and reduce OPEX costs associated with chemical dosing.

• Increased level of operational and environmental sustainability through the ability to meetreduced chemical usages that align with company objectives.

• More robust investment plans through better knowledge of the viability and security of loadproportional passive control systems that avoid expensive in-line phosphate sensors.

1. Devise a spread sheet tool to predict influent diurnal phosphate loads from drainage area plans(25,000 to 10,000 pe) or abridged versions for less than 10,000 pe.

2. Undertake sensitivity analysis using tool to assess variations in diurnal phosphate loads underdry weather and wet weather conditions for a range of catchment types.

3. Devise a programme to download drainage area plan data into the tool and run the tool for onewastewater treatment works for each contributor to generate load profiles.

4. Implement the load profile at each wastewater treatment works.

A spread sheet tool for developing drainage area specific phosphate load profiles that can be applied by treatment plant and dosing system operators at small WwTWs. This will be supported by guidance documents for the optimisation of iron dosing that can be used by operational scientists and staff when addressing problems at individual works.

• UKWIR WW21 Comparative methods for OPRA PBC versus sampling (existing compliance),2010.

• Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Tool, 2010.

14

CP487

Drainage Area BasedPhosphorus Control

PRICE

£15,060

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Kevin Poole

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865179

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Wastewater Treatment

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

UK Water Companies are facing more stringent metal consents for phosphate removal at wastewater treatment works (WwTW) and rising chemical costs. Chemical use needs to be reduced to achieve more sustainable wastewater management (Cave Review 2009).

Metal (ferric or aluminium) salts may be unable to precipitate phosphate effectively causing high soluble phosphates / high metal residuals that result in effluent compliance issues at WwTWs. This effect may be linked to seasonal variations in wastewater quality, lack of alkalinity, hydrolysis of organic phosphate to orthophosphate, and organic trade effluents which promote iron complexation. Sites may require tertiary sand filtration to control residual metals in effluent.

This project aims to identify means for improving the effectiveness of metal dosing for both removal of phosphate and control of residual metals, on a site-specific basis, through a greater understanding of the physicochemical processes and the factors which influence precipitation.

• Enable a clear and quantified understanding of optimal chemical dosing to achieve robustcompliance with discharge permits.

• Identify minimum chemical use leading to OPEX savings and more sustainable P removal.• Establish a common quality control methodology for chemical use at WwTWs to assist with

planning of capital expenditure and ensure effective operation of chemical dosing plant.• Identify opportunities for achieving compliance with discharge permits without the need for

capital expenditure on tertiary treatment.

1. Establish theoretical solution equilibrium relationships to predict the behaviour of cations inrespect of phosphorus elimination reactions and residual metal concentrations using existingWRc water quality models.

2. Undertake jar testing to understand the kinetics of the initial dispersion of metal salt and calibratethe theoretical solution equilibrium model.

3. Complete a site evaluation for each participant to validate the model.4. Identify plant improvements required to optimise chemical P removal.

Spreadsheet tool to assess phosphate solution equilibria, benchmark chemical usage, and assist compliance with phosphorus removal requirements. The tool will be supported by chemical dose control guidelines to enhance asset standards and operational practice.

• CP362b Sustainable options for phosphorus and nitrogen removal, 2011.• Iron use in wastewater treatment, Utility Client, 2008.• P8103 Water quality and corrosion model, 1999.

15

CP488

Compliance with Phosphorus andMetal Consent Requirements

PRICE

£16,460

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Kevin Poole

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865179

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA


Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

High energy costs and carbon/GHG emissions associated with operating aeration plants present a major challenge to the water utilities. The new Ofwat key performance indicators will provide regulators, investors and customers with increased transparency and awareness of company performance in these areas.

The efficiency of aeration plants depends on a range of factors which include the type of process installed, the design of individual plants, and the flexibility of aeration plant control systems. In principle, the oxygen transfer rate, fundamental to aeration efficiency in aeration plants, improves with decreasing bubble size but the equipment used to produce fine and ultra-fine (micro) bubbles is likely to have a greater fouling tendency which may limit potential aeration efficiency improvements.

Building on the outputs of WRc's Portfolio study 'CP406 Managing Aeration Plants to Reduce Energy Costs and Carbon Emissions', this project will further develop and enhance the aeration efficiency and cost evaluation tool to allow accurate estimation of aeration efficiency of installed systems and demonstrate how it can be used to achieve cost savings. The package will be broadened to assess diffuser fouling in aeration tanks from changes to bubble size distributions.

• Increased aeration plant efficiency across the organisation through use of the aeration efficiencyand cost evaluation tool.

• A substantial, sustainable reduction in energy and costs associated with aeration plant operation.• Quantification of expected energy/carbon savings for novel aeration processes.

1. Develop a methodology for quantifying the theoretical limit to aeration efficiency of individualaerators for aeration tanks fitted with tapered aeration and surface aerators usingthermodynamic benchmarking.

2. Demonstrate the enhanced software tool at one activated sludge plant per contributor tofamiliarise participants with use of the tool and identify potential efficiency savings.

3. Assess techniques for acoustic measurement of bubble size distributions, through practicaltesting at WRc's test facility, to determine their potential use to assess diffuser fouling.

4. Update existing software tool with the capability to assess advanced aeration plant, e.g. Gravitox(UU), Hybacs, Sorubin aerator, SuperOxBox, Zimmerman fluidic oscillator.

• An aeration efficiency and cost evaluation tool incorporating aeration efficiency benchmarkingand an assessment of claimed advances for aeration equipment to support aeration plantefficiency and energy saving initiatives.

• Provision of guidelines to enable process optimisation teams to understand how the datarequirements and benchmarking methodology in the Tool support the delivery of aeration plantefficiency, energy savings and reduction in GHG emissions.

• CP406 Managing Aeration Plants to Reduce Energy Costs and Carbon Emissions, 2011.• Pumps - Optimisation and Replacement, CP348a, 2011.• Comparing Energy Efficiency: Where Are We Good?, CP310, 2007-ongoing.

16

CP489

Advanced AerationEfficiency

PRICE

£19,590

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Kevin Poole

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865179

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA


Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Extracting more energy from waste and/or utilising spare capacity not in current use are key elements of Ofwat's strategy for delivering benefits to customers in terms of both efficiency and innovation. Whilst water companies are generating more energy from digester biogas, potential opportunities for extracting additional energy from the waste treatment cycle and residual waste have not been fully exploited at UK wastewater treatment works.

Treatment technologies are already in use elsewhere in the world:

• In Germany and Japan, heat pumps recycle heat from sewers for building heating; • Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been demonstrated at pilot-scale to reduce the energy

requirements of wastewater treatment;• In Ireland, supercritical water oxidation is in operation to produce heat for electrical power

generation; • Prototype pyrolysis plants are used to recover oil from sewage sludge; and • In Spain, a large-scale EU funded demonstration project is growing algae on wastewater for oil

production.

This project aims to assess the potential application of innovative energy to gain additional value from waste treatment within the Water Industry through a technical and financial assessment taking account of potential carbon value.

• Identification of opportunities for increased revenue from production of renewables to fullycapitalise on the benefits of government incentives.

• Ability to select those technologies that represent a step-change in energy generation andidentify technology bottlenecks for future investment and solution planning.

1. Identify the new raft of ''best-fit” energy from waste technologies and current market status. 2. Contact university groups, research facilities and technology providers to gather non-public

domain information on performance characteristics and example applications.3. Undertake an independent pre- and post-market assessment by placing data on a comparable

baseline data to establish operational 'energy generation' benefits.4. Assess the efficacy of market application, closeness to market and assess scientific evidence of

performance claims.5. Benchmark operational carbon emissions, and economic viability of each energy from waste

technology using WRc's Carbon Abatement Strategy Scenario Modelling Tool.

A state of the art analysis of energy from waste technologies applicable for wastewater treatment and sludge from wastewater treatment. The output would be used by asset strategy and planning to inform business strategies and justify investment in energy from waste technologies.

• CP443 Carbon Abatement Strategy Scenario Modelling tool (CASSM) - Optimising CarbonAbatement, 2012.

• Carbon Accounting and Sustainability workbooks prepared for water industry, UKWIR, 2012.• Proven track record in technology evaluation for the water industry.

17

CP490

Energy from Waste - State ofthe Art Technology

PRICE

£11,250

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jane Turrell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865176

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Waste

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

The UK government is driving renewable energy generation to meet 2020 targets and are set to remove regulatory and fiscal barriers to promote the uptake of AD to gain value from the 100 million tonnes (wet weight) of 'other' organic wastes. The waste water utilities are well placed to fill the infrastructure deficit needed to treat this waste.

But, are the risks to current appointed business activities outweighed by the potential benefits? It could reduce overall costs for treatment of sewage sludge and provide added revenue from biogas production. However: will it work at full scale? what additional infrastructure is needed? what are the real energy returns? and is there a landbank for the disposal of residual wastes?

This project will facilitate full-scale trials to:

• identify materials that are suited to co-digestion (i.e. in terms of digester stability and biogasproduction);

• produce an extensive baseline data set on process operation and waste output characteristics;and

• provide evidence to support robust decision making by the wastewater utilities and regulators.

• Reduced business risks through evidence based decisions on investment in what is currentlynon-core business but which in the near future would have the support of both the financial andenvironmental regulators. Successful integration of other wastes would support reductions incarbon footprint and increased use of renewables.

WRc will identify a suitable programme specification, gain the support and input from necessary regulators. The AD plant and associated waste logistics will be operated and managed by the Wastewater companies, WRc will assess the data and report on the projects outcomes.

• Phase 1: desk based activities to confirm suitable sites, waste inputs and an operational matrix,and a detailed monitoring programme. Discussions with the regulators to gain: acceptance ofthe work programme, appropriate clearance to both operate the trial(s) and exemptions to coverdisposal of digestate.

• Phase 2: operation and monitoring of the selected digesters to understand how existing sludgeAD treatment facilities perform if they are used for co-digestion.

A detailed assessment of the opportunity presented by AD of non-sewage sludge wastes, with supporting evidence on the performance of full scale co-digestion, operational costs and revenue streams, and implications for application of the digestate to land. This will enable decisions to be made by commercial managers and will provide robust advice to the operators and designers of co-digestion schemes.

• Waste characterisation and treatability studies of organic wastes using AD.• Work for the regulators on the application of wastes to land.• Support to government in waste policy development.

18

CP491

Co-Digestion - A FullScale Practical Test

DURATION

Phase 1: 4 MonthsPhase 2: 18 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jane Turrell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865176

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Waste

Innovation through Collaboration

PRICE

£25,100

Index

Innovation Day Follow-up



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

The UK Environment Agency Water Sector Plan sets out a 25 year environmental vision for a sustainable water industry with a prime objective to minimise the production of, and manage, wastes from operational activities in line with evolving best practice. Approximately 100,000 tonnes of screenings are produced annually in the UK, mostly disposed of in landfill for which the charges are increasing year on year, or for reclamation projects (usually as composted screenings).

Substantial variations in screenings quality may relate to the nature of the gross debris in sewage owing to the differing nature of drainage areas and varying success in encouraging the public to implement bag it and bin it campaigns. The types of screenings dewatering equipment in use at individual wastewater treatment works and maintenance practice are other important factors.

This project aims to identify opportunities for improving the quality of dewatered screenings to enable beneficial use, and to examine the economic viability and security of thermal treatment options, such as gasification, and new technologies as an alternative to landfill or reclamation.

• Reduced OPEX costs associated with screenings disposal through recycling opportunities.• Increased level of operational and environmental sustainability through the ability to select

screenings management strategies that align with company and regulatory objectives.• More robust investment plans from better knowledge of screenings recycling options.

1. Work with screenings dewatering equipment providers to determine and verify the potentialefficiencies of state of the art advanced screenings dewatering plant, including performance,operability, product quality and whole life costs, to support future investment plans.

2. Produce a national characterisation data set of the key properties of dewatered screenings fromdifferent types of dewatering equipment.

3. Match waste characteristics to feedstock requirements of operators of thermal treatment processand other applicable technology and identify shortfalls.

4. Investigate and identify additional pre-treatment steps that may be needed to make screeningsfeedstock more viable for thermal recovery and other process e.g use of waste heat at WwTW toincrease the calorific value.

5. Work with the Environment Agency and other stakeholders to develop a quality waste protocolfor viable and secure screenings recycling options.

Guidelines for screenings dewatering and recycling practice for planners, designers and operators to enhance company strategies, asset standards, and operational practice. These will be supported by screenings quality specifications for advanced dewatering equipment, and a spread sheet tool to assess the security and economic viability of recycling options.

• CP442: Sustainable Sewer Grit Recycling, 2012.• Economic assessment of management options for WwTW Wastes, UKWIR, 2007.• The future of Industry Waste Streams, UKWIR, 2006.

19

CP492

Developing a Quality Protocol forBeneficial Recovery of Screenings

Index

PRICE

£9,650

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jane Turrell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865176

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Waste



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

The UK Water Industry conducts lining of potable water mains and sewers/drains with techniques such as spray lining and lining with cured-in-place pipe. Both of these techniques use thermosetting resins which consist of reactive and typically unpleasant chemicals which can have a number of detrimental health effects ranging from being an irritant to potentially carcinogenic. This project will conduct on-site air sampling to measure airborne emission of volatile chemicals to determine if these are within air quality Workplace Exposure Limits. This will help assess the potential health impact of these techniques on lining operatives and the public.

This project will provide:

• A clear and quantified understanding of the potential for detrimental health effects resulting frompipe lining techniques using thermosetting resins;

• An assessment of the typical airborne emissions from pipe lining works;• An appreciation of how these emissions may affect selection of technology and a company's

maintenance operations.

The project will provide water companies with the information required to assess the potential health effects of lining systems utilising thermosetting resins, specifically to:

• Quantify the typical air emissions from commonly used thermosetting resins;• Justify current and future use of thermosetting resins in pipe lining operations.

1. Confirm current air quality Workplace Exposure Limits requirements for specific lining chemicals.2. Develop an air sampling protocol and contractor premises/on-site sampling programme.3. Undertake air sampling at contractor premises and on-site.4. Develop recommendations from air sampling results.

This project will develop guidance to assist those operating water main and sewerage systems and drains to assess the appropriateness of lining techniques, which will:

• Quantify any potential detrimental health effects to lining operators and members of the public,and;

• Support future planning and investment decisions in water main and sewer/drain maintenance.

• CP451 Rising Mains: To Replace or Renovate?, 2012.• CP452 Operation of CIPP rehabilitated pipes beyond the design life, 2012.

20

CP493

Human Health Effects of ThermosettingResins used for Pipe Lining

PRICE

£15,760

DURATION

6 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Andy Russell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865130

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Technology Development

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

In 2008/9 sewer blockages in public sewers resulted in approximately 30,000 internal and external sewer flooding events in England and Wales. The total cost of sewer blockages to water companies is in excess of £20 million per year with an estimated £15 million spent annually on blockage clearance. Maintaining the hydraulic capacity of sewer systems by the removal of silts, sewer debris and FOG is a high priority for Sewerage Undertakers (SUs). However the current drive to reduce water usage and the transfer of private sewers; increasing the length and type of sewers for which SUs are responsible, will create new challenges.

There are commercially available technologies currently on the market to deal with irregular flows and these offer the potential benefit of reducing blockages in the sewer system. Flow amplification devices are one of these, marketed as a low maintenance and cost effective alternative to traditional sewer cleaning practices but there are concerns about their effectiveness. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the performance of flow amplification devices in real systems and determine under what circumstances they provide a cost beneficial alternative to conventional practices.

• Reduced flood risk through frequent flushing of sewers and the removal of material from thesewer.

• More effective and cost beneficial alternatives to reactive clearance of blockages or re-laying ofproblematic small diameter, former Section 24 and private sewers.

• Informed decisions on the use of flow amplifying devices in the UK sewer system.

1. Quantify the performance of different types of flow amplifying devices including maintenancerequirements.

2. Determine the effectiveness of flow amplifying devices in reducing accumulations in sewersystems.

3. Quantify the costs of different devices, capital and maintenance, against traditional sewercleaning practices.

Guidance to assist Sewerage Undertakers in the assessment of alternative approaches to sewer cleaning practices which will:

• Provide evidence/confidence of the benefits, robustness and effectiveness of flow amplificationdevices so that they can be adopted where appropriate by sewer operations managers;

• Give guidance on effective application of the technology;• Support future planning and Capex/Opex investment decisions in sewer maintenance.

• Research into the impact of low flows on the performance of sewers and drains.• Evaluation of proprietary flow amplifying devices.

21

CP494

Adoption of Flow AmplifyingDevices in Sewer Management

Index

PRICE

£15,750

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Andy Russell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865130

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Technology Development



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Reliable and robust dissolved oxygen (DO) measurement is fundamental to aeration control and optimisation of the energy demands of activated sludge processes. Good DO measurement results in good aeration control leading to reliable treatment and minimised energy use. Yet, despite a genuine advance in DO sensor technology, a number of factors confound the successful and reliable application of DO monitors. Issues most commonly cited are fouling, unreliable cleaning systems, manual maintenance requirements, and conflict between specified maintenance requirements and required real-life requirements, leading to impaired instrument performance.

This project will address these issues through the most significant and comprehensive trial of wastewater DO monitors undertaken by the UK water industry for over a decade, and deliver a major resource of information to support companies in the selection and operation of wastewater DO monitors through future investment.

• Fully informed instrument selection and procurement of DO monitors based on real-life costs andperformance with improved cleaning and maintenance procedures.

• More reliable control of the activated sludge process with reduced risk of compliance failure,reduced energy costs, and carbon emissions.

Substantial discussions have already been held with a number of wastewater utilities and agreement has been reached on the test site, which will include two applications in typical locations, and on the maintenance of the sensors during the trial, which will replicate as closely as possible normal practice.

1. Selection of trial instruments via open invitation. Production of performance specification andsupplier briefing document.

2. Eight month site trial at Wanlip sewage treatment works (Severn Trent Water) on both surfaceaeration and fine bubble diffused aeration treatment processes.

3. Analysis of performance and cost of ownership for each system.4. Production of a trial report and individual summary reports for each of the suppliers.

The project will deliver a major resource of independent evidence and information on selected DO monitors performance for use by companies for intelligent procurement and operation of wastewater DO monitors.

• Independent testing and evaluation of instrumentation for both manufacturers and end users. Examples of wastewater testing include: ultrasonic level sensors, ammonia, phosphate andsuspended solids monitors.

• Testing of wastewater samplers, flow monitors and continuous quality monitors againstMCERTS.

22

CP477

Trial of Wastewater DissolvedOxygen Monitors

PRICE

£9,950

DURATION

14 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Leo Carswell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865131

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Monitoring

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Data from on-line instrumentation is increasingly being used for process optimisation and control and for monitoring compliance critical operations. Such instrumentation is therefore becoming fundamental for managing risk, maximising efficiency and providing the wider business with reliable and trusted information. It follows that proper installation, maintenance and operation is essential.

Although the quality and reliability of instrumentation has improved significantly over recent decades there remain applications which are operationally challenging; for example: measurements in crude sewage at STWs; clarified turbidity and intake ammonia at WTW's. In many cases the challenge arises because of inappropriate technology selection, poor installation and/or insufficient maintenance. Selection may have been based on purchase price and inflexible asset standards; maintenance represents an additional operational cost that can be squeezed.

To contest this view, this project will gather evidence and develop new thinking to produce best practice guidance for instrumentation use in challenging applications. It will demonstrate the benefits from effective instrumentation, which can be gained across the wider business, and justify an alternative to a 'one solution fits all' instrumentation approach.

Greater reliability and robustness of on-line instrumentation leading to improved data quality, process control, confidence in the data and justifiable operational costs through:

• Improved selection and installation of instrumentation;• Optimisation of maintenance activities, moving from failure triggered to sensor validation / self

assessment and proactive, benefits based approaches.

1. Identify and agree applications where instruments are known to be problematic and whereimprovement would deliver clear benefits.

2. Detailed examination of current good practice in installation, sampling systems, maintenance anddata analysis, drawing on practice across the UK, Europe, US and Australia.

3. Review new technologies and approaches for improved sample preparation, instrumentinstallation, instrument performance validation, soft sensors and condition based servicing,utilising experience from other process sectors.

4. Produce best practice guidance for the selected applications and parameters.

The outputs will include an evidence-based, best practice guide and supporting documents, to be used by site operators, managers and policy makers and incorporated into procurement documentation, asset standards and operational practice to improve the quality and reliability of data and to justify on-going operational expenditure on maintenance.

• CP473 Practical guidance to improve telemetry data quality (2012).• CP378 Instrument User Group (2009 - on-going).• Audits of WTW and WwTW instrumentation for UK Water Utilities.

23

CP495

Developing Best Practice for InstrumentationUse in Challenging Applications

Index

PRICE

£15,220

DURATION

7 Months

WRc CONTACT

Dr Leo Carswell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865131

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Instrumentation



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Business planning for catchment management initiatives for PR14 and beyond requires all of the benefits arising from schemes to be identified, quantified and, where possible, monetised for inclusion in cost-benefit analyses in support of business plans. The framework produced by WRc under the auspices of UKWIR for the water industry, environmental and financial regulators is intended to facilitate this. The work was completed to enable the framework to be used in business planning for AMP6. The framework has been designed to be flexible but common issues are likely to arise in implementing its requirements for the wide range of schemes under consideration for AMP6 funding. Early identification, sharing and solving of issues and information among practitioners facilitated by WRc will streamline the benefit quantification process and lead to more consistent outcomes. The forum would be practitioner-led with WRc providing the mechanism for issues to be identified and shared while contributing to their solution in a way that is practical, timely and consistent with the framework.

• Efficient and effective application of the catchment management benefits assessment frameworkfor AMP6 business planning and beyond.

1. Establish a forum of practitioners from participating companies.2. Identify common issues arising from application of the framework with the Project Steering

Group.3. Work with WRc to provide solutions to identified issues that are consistent with the requirements

of the framework and can be implemented for AMP6 business planning.

A series of technical notes detailing solutions for implementation by water company practitioners.

• Quantifying the benefits of water quality catchment management initiatives (UKWIR 2012).• Quantifying the benefits of catchment management in the Longdendale catchment (UU 2012).

24

CP496

Quantifying the Benefits ofCatchment Management Forum

PRICE

£3,000

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Ian Codling

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865030

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Catchment Management

Index



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

Water companies implementing catchment management initiatives base important investment and operational decisions on trends and patterns in water quality monitoring data. Analysing this data to yield precise and unambiguous evidence requires the careful selection and application of appropriate statistical methods. Commercial software packages offer an array of complex analysis techniques but can be difficult for non-specialists to use and interpret and are not specifically designed to provide clear solutions to common catchment data problems such as:

• assessing and remedying common data quality problems;• dealing with low-level contaminants below the limit of detection;• analysing and extrapolating seasonal and long-term trends in water quality;• testing for water quality improvements from specific management interventions;• modelling and predicting water quality responses to rainfall events;• estimating pollutant loads; and,• quantifying uncertainty.

This study will provide comprehensive and structured guidance and training to enable catchment managers to obtain reliable and credible evidence on which to base operational and investment decisions.

• Reduced risk of unreliable evidence underpinning important investment and operationaldecisions.

• Staff empowered and confident in extracting business critical information from data usingconsistent and robust approach, so reducing reliance on specialist internal and external support.

• Cost savings through more efficient and effective use of staff time.

1. Review business applications of water quality data analysis; scope potential problems andpitfalls; establish guiding principles.

2. Identify best-practice approaches to common water quality analysis problems; document theoryand practical guidance; illustrate good and poor practice with practical examples; identifyappropriate software implementation options.

3. Prepare and deliver a training course for practitioners.

• Trained staff, supported by reliable and accessible guidance, able to process, analyse andinterpret water quality data.

• Catchment managers will use the output to enable them to take well informed operational andinvestment decisions when assessing the effectiveness of existing catchment managementschemes and when planning and implementing new ones.

• Statistical advice service for monitoring programmes and data analysis (EA 2007-2012).• Demonstration Test Catchments: an experimental design and monitoring strategy (Defra 2010).

25

CP497

Maximising Information fromCatchment Management Data

Index

PRICE

£12,000

DURATION

8 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Andrew Davey

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865023

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Catchment Management



Work Programme


Related WRc Work

River catchments provide a wide range of goods and services to water companies, their customers and other stakeholder groups. These ecosystem services include water supplies, food, flood protection, climate change mitigation, effluent dilution, recreation and biodiversity. The Water White Paper and recent EA and Ofwat regulatory guidance encourage water companies to consider the wider economic, social and environmental costs and benefits when planning investment strategies. Finding sustainable and integrated ways of managing surface and groundwater resources and meeting drinking water and wastewater effluent quality standards, therefore, requires an understanding of how management activities will affect the provision of ecosystem services and how different stakeholders will be affected.

The objective of this study is to give companies a clear vision of the opportunities, threats and conflicts of interest in river catchments by mapping the provision of ecosystem services. This will provide a powerful means of communicating difficult management decisions to other stakeholders, identify win-win opportunities, and target management interventions where they will deliver multiple benefits.

• More effective catchment planning through early identification of the likely impacts and benefitsof company activities.

• Appreciation of the value of ecosystem services provided by company-owned land, allowing theidentification of more sustainable management options.

• Identification of critical areas within catchments that pose greatest risk so that managementactivities to be focused in key areas to deliver multiple benefits.

• Improved stakeholder engagement through visual representation of catchment uses by differentstakeholder groups.

• Stronger business case for future investment that will gain the approval of Ofwat.

1. Select and prioritise key ecosystem services; develop conceptual model of service provision;define spatial data needs and sources.

2. Develop methodology to process data, describe and quantify component variables and visualisethe provision of services.

3. Illustrate approach in focal catchments using available datasets; map results using GIS interface.

• Catchment managers will have a documented and tested methodology for mapping ecosystemservices in their company's catchments, which will support strategic planning of future monitoringactivities and data acquisition.

• GIS layers of key ecosystem services may be incorporated into business spatial data systems toinform operational management decisions and support stakeholder engagement.

• Quantifying the benefits of water quality catchment management initiatives (UKWIR 2012).• Integrating an Ecosystem Services Approach into Cost-Benefit Analysis (Portfolio 2012).

26

CP498

Mapping EcosystemServices

PRICE

£14,000

DURATION

12 Months

WRc CONTACT

Mr Andrew Davey

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865023

[email protected]

TOPIC AREACatchment Management

Index

27



The Instrument User Group (IUG) has become an established forum to share knowledge and experience on instrumentation-related issues to improve understanding and further the effective use of instrumentation within the water sector.

The Group, which is run by WRc and membership is open to all UK Water Companies, provides a framework to bring water company users together to exchange information and develop common interests, through an independently facilitated group covering all forms of water industry instrumentation, including analytical and physical measurement as well as flow measurement in potable water and wastewaters.

• A forum for sharing information on instrument use, practical problems and solutions.• Identification of common instrument testing and evaluation needs, leading to opportunities to

collaborate in instrument testing and evaluation.• An opportunity to see at first hand water company sites and installed instrumentation.• Enabling participants to keep abreast of new products and developments from researchers and

vendors in an expert forum which allows for discussion of the benefits and limitations oftechnologies and where collaborative testing/research is beneficial.

• A mechanism for highlighting gaps in knowledge or available technology, for proposing orseeking solutions, and identifying the changing needs of the industry, for example in response tochanges in regulation.

CP378

Instrument User Group - Sharing Knowledgeand Experience (2012-2013)

PRICE

£3,500

EXPECTED DELIVERY

Annual Membership

WRc CONTACT

Dr Leo Carswell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865131

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Instrumentation

Index

Index



District (or DMA) meters are a critical source of data in the management of leakage and the water distribution network. Large non-household revenue meters (40mm+) typically account for over two thirds of a water company's non-household income. The drive towards further leakage reduction and smart networks requiring improved data quality have stimulated developments in metering with new battery powered solid state meters (electromagnetic and ultrasonic) challenging the traditional turbine types. These new meters claim to offer greater stability and a much flatter response curve than mechanical meters, particularly important when studying night flow trends over a long period. However, the mechanical meter manufacturers are fighting back with new designs which claim to offer an extended measurement range and superior low flow performance compared to older models, which would benefit night flows and revenue.

Such meters represent a significant investment for water companies and a long service life is desirable. This project is testing the claims of a selection of new meters across a range of technologies by putting them through a rigorous test programme. The objective is to understand what level of performance might be expected in service, what will be the impact on leakage and revenues, what will be the impact on sizing meters and what are the costs of operation.

• Independent and objective data for planning future investments in DMA and large revenuemeters.

• Increased confidence in DMA flow data for leakage calculations and ALC targeting.• Reliable charging for commercial customers.

CP461

District and Commercial Meters -The Next Generation

PRICE

£17,950

EXPECTED DELIVERY

February 13

WRc CONTACT

Mr Andy Godley

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865060

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Metering



WRc Portfolio collaborative project CP404 Disinfection Forum has been running since March 2010. The overall aim of the project is to provide a platform for review of issues, research and regulatory perspectives on all aspects of drinking water disinfection.

Over the 2011/12 period, the focus of the work was on the development of the “Ct Toolbox” to facilitate identification of appropriate disinfection conditions in an objective and logical manner, based on the best available evidence to help companies to implement a robust policy that stands up to regulatory scrutiny. The 16 participating water companies will be implementing the Ct Toolbox from April 2012.

It is proposed that the Disinfection Forum will continue, with an objective of supporting this implementation. However, the scope of the work will be broader than this and, as for the first year of the forum, will include other disinfection topics of common interest in each of the meetings.

Identification of:

• the most appropriate disinfection technologies and operating conditions to meet regulatoryrequirements for microbiological quality;

• potential operating problems and ways of overcoming these;• developments in technologies and regulatory approaches with potential benefits or impact in the

medium to longer term.

CP404

Disinfection ForumWater Treatment

PRICE

£3,500

EXPECTED DELIVERY

March 13

WRc CONTACT

Dr Tom Hall

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865065

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Water Treatment

Index

PRICE

£16,650

EXPECTED DELIVERY

October 12

WRc CONTACT

Dr Tom Hall

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865065

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Water Treatment

CP450

Climate Change, Algal Growth andManagement of Water Supply



Algal blooms in raw water sources can cause severe problems in water treatment and supply through physical and chemical disruption of treatment processes, increased chlorination by-products, and the formation of cyanotoxins and taste and odour compounds. Water companies need to ensure that effective treatment is in place to deal with algae, and manage reservoirs to reduce the potential for algal blooms.

Climate change may increase treatment problems in the future because of a higher frequency of problem algal blooms and changes to types of algae which cause greater treatment problems.

The objective of this work is to provide a decision support process for the planning of programmes aimed at reducing algal problems in the most cost-effective way, taking into account potential future frequency of algal problems, technologies for minimising algal blooms, and treatment implications.

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), Lancaster, to provide supporting expertise on algal growth and the influence of weather patterns.

• A detailed understanding of current and future localised algal risks.• Prioritisation and phasing of schemes for management of algal problems, identifying cost

effective mitigation measures.• Greater confidence in dealing with regulators in relation to algal impacts on water treatment and

drinking water quality.

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CP471

A Move Toward Zero Waste - RecyclingOptions for Water Treatment Work Residues

PRICE

£14,540

EXPECTED DELIVERY

March 2013

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jane Turrell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865176

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Waste



Recycling of sludge produced during drinking water production would improve operational sustainability and reduce costs, but this requires effective sustainable alternative outlets to be identified. The objective of this project is to build on previous work and develop robust information on the technical and economic feasibility of resource recovery. This will be achieved by production of a national characterisation data set which identifies the key properties of different types of residues in order to identify recycling options which offer the greatest potential. A detailed evaluation of prioritised options will include the viability and security of identified recycling options.

• Increased level of operational and environmental sustainability through adoption of recyclingopportunities that avoid increases or reduce OPEX costs.

• Access to local, cost effective solutions for recycling of WTW residues so that they become abusiness opportunity rather than a cost.



Anaerobic digestion (AD) is being increasingly favoured as a mechanism for achieving increased energy from waste. Current government initiatives are the first step in providing the necessary level playing field in terms of regulation and financial incentives for the production and use of biogas and digestate irrespective of feedstock. To support the growth of AD, understand new feedstock characteristics and potential for biogas production a test is required to minimise the time between sampling and results to facilitate real-time management of digesters.

WRc has developed a suitable rapid biological test that can be used to predict the biogas production potential and to predict inhibition issues associated with new waste feedstock. The initial method development is complete and the next imminent phase of work is to validate the test methodology using a selection of commercial feedstock.

• Enable on-site quality checks of in-coming feedstock characteristics.• Maximise productivity, minimising downtime and increasing digester throughput by rapid

assessment of new feedstock biogas production and inhibition potential.• Improve confidence in feedstock and digester quality through rapid and regular routine

monitoring and minimise the need to store wastes (with potential odour issues) whilst awaitingtest data.

PRICE

£11,000

EXPECTED DELIVERY

November 12

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jane Turrell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865176

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Waste

CP459

Development of a Rapid Testfor Anaerobic Digestion

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There were approximately 220,000 blockages in UK sewerage undertakers' sewers in the year ending March 2011. This number is too high and there are many reasons for this, including poor clearance practice. Furthermore, blockage clearance carried out close to buildings runs the risk that poor practice can actually cause internal flooding of the building.

Additionally, the introduction of the Service Incentive Mechanism (SIM) has given greater weight to the need to 'get it right first time' and to minimise impact on customers. Good practice to avoid repeat visits is now more vital than ever.

Research has identified that good blockage clearing practice leads to reductions in repeat blockages and improved customer satisfaction. This project is capturing the most effective blockage clearance practices, identifying the most appropriate clearance practices for a wide range of blockage clearance situations and developing effective good practice guidance, for management, supervisors and operatives involved in blockage clearance.

• Improved operatives competency. This will include clearance practice on small diametersystems.

• Consistent response and approach to blockage clearance. • Improved regulatory performance and relationship with customers.

CP468

Sewer Blockage Clearance - Good Practice Guide

PRICE

£15,350

EXPECTED DELIVERY

April 13

WRc CONTACT

Mr Andy Drinkwater

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865048

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Sewerage

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CP464

New Methods for ServiceReservoir Inspection

PRICE

£19,500

EXPECTED DELIVERY

October 12

WRc CONTACT

Dr Leo Carswell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865131

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Water Distribution

Index



Service reservoirs are a critical part of the infrastructure for the supply of safe drinking water; loss of integrity may lead to leakage and/or ingress and contamination. The recent Defra consultation on the Reservoirs Act 1975 proposed that a greater number of reservoirs could require regular inspection, which can be disruptive and costly. Current approaches provide limited information and involve a drop test or visual inspection by man entry or remotely operated vehicle. There is a need for improved techniques to assess service reservoir integrity which are more cost-effective or provide better data. Methods that might be used include: discrete or linear hydrophone technology for leak detection; permanently installed structural condition monitoring; 3D scanning sonar and radar; ground probing radar; microwave aquametery and time domain reflectometry; and novel approaches to gas and water tracing.

This two phase project will define the industry's current and future needs for service reservoir inspection, identify and evaluate new and alternative solutions in use in other applications or sectors and independently validate selected techniques, identify implementation routes, and define short term benefits and further development needs.

• Reduced risk of asset failure through the ability to undertake quicker, lower cost, more frequentinspection.

• Reduced disruption to supply through the use of technologies which do not require the servicereservoir to be taken out of service.

• Informed decision making on future approaches to service reservoir inspection.

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Traditional construction techniques are subject to risk due to the weather, involve mixing materials in difficult locations and can be wasteful. Existing standards are written around bespoke traditional construction and hence can be a barrier to the adoption of new technology. Modular construction is used more often on the continent than the UK although products are starting to emerge in the UK sewerage sector. Claimed benefits include higher productivity, lower overall installed cost and carbon emissions, less construction risk from adverse weather conditions, reduced traffic management and potentially less health and safety risk.

The objectives of the project are to provide the necessary information to fully understand the potential advantages, limitations and savings of utilising modular construction, to identify the products and materials which are currently available for modular construction for sewerage and to identify barriers to introducing modular construction and review opportunities to mitigate these.

• Ability to mitigate barriers to introducing modular construction.• Realise the potential to minimise capital expenditure, carbon emissions and risk by implementing

modular construction effectively on appropriate sewerage elements.

CP469

Piecing Together the Benefits ofModular Construction in Sewerage

PRICE

£13,250

EXPECTED DELIVERY

March 13

WRc CONTACT

Dr Andy Russell

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865130

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Sewerage



Water companies are becoming ever more reliant on telemetry and this is increasing the need to ensure adequate levels of data quality. Ofwat also requires water companies to make better use of real-time telemetry data and to demonstrate that they understand the uncertainty in the quality of data. Current trends to increase real-time visibility of assets and make greater use of advanced data driven technologies will further highlight the need to tackle data quality; however, the sheer scale and complexity of water industry telemetry systems present a significant data quality challenge. Portfolio project CP401 A Framework for Improving Telemetry Data Quality confirmed that poor quality data are a concern for all companies. In many cases, senior management are unaware or unsure of the real impacts of poor telemetry data and the investment required to address this. This project will build on CP401 to provide practical guidance to implement targeted improvements in telemetry data quality.

• Informed business strategy and targeted investment.• Leverage more value from data to improve performance and reliability of operational tools and

achieve more effective decision making.• Provide a data quality management health check.• Demonstrate to regulators and auditors that sound principles and good practice have been

applied to ensure that data is fit for purpose.

CP473

Practical Guidance to ImproveTelemetry Data Quality

PRICE

£6,950

EXPECTED DELIVERY

December 12

WRc CONTACT

Mr John Brown

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865016

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Data Management

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Since its inception in 2000, the Geographical Information User Group (GIUG) has provided participants with a much valued forum to keep abreast of, and maximise value from the incredible developments in Geographical Information Systems and related technology.

We are in exciting times for Geographical Information (GI) in the water industry with many new initiatives that will raise its profile. The Defra Catchment Management initiative; the advances in real time decision support tools and ecosystem services for PR14, are likely to change the requirements for spatial data in the UK water industry.

The key power of the GIUG lies in the unique gathering of experts, every quarter, to investigate shared business problems with spatial elements - this accounts for up to 80% of all business information!

• Identify how to use geographic data to derive genuine business benefit. • Adopt best practice in geographical information and related technology.• Cost-effectively assess vendor products, through peer review.• Understand how industry peers are managing changes to the spatial information requirement.

CP024

Geographical InformationUser Group 2012-14

PRICE

£4,200

EXPECTED DELIVERY

March 14

WRc CONTACT

Mr Ian Dawes

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865165

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Data Management

Index



Historical risk assessment methods have concentrated on estimating the risk of asset failure. However, water utility consumers are not necessarily affected when assets fail since utilities take action to minimise disruption. Recent WRc research (CP435) has taken applied risk assessment methods a step further by translating probability of asset failure into probability of service failure using event tree analysis. To obtain a meaningful value of risk of service failure, this approach must be integrated with qualitative and quantitative consequence modelling techniques to demonstrate to Ofwat that risk of service failure - and hence the impact on end-consumers - is at the heart of water utility business planning.

Following the successful delivery of two collaborative research projects on operational risk management; the objective of this project is to further develop the methodology and application of consequence modelling, to complete the understanding of risk of service failure.

• Improved visibility of compliance with Ofwat's risk-based business plan assessment.• Improved methodology for the evaluation of business case benefits (e.g. operational risk

reduction) leading to the implementation of most cost-beneficial options.• Improved capability for modelling what-if scenarios (such as changes to pro-active measures,

event response, company policy) and their impact on risk of service failure.• Improved retrospective failure event analysis.

CP463

True Consequences of Asset Failureon Service in Distribution

PRICE

£14,500

EXPECTED DELIVERY

December 12

WRc CONTACT

Mrs Jo Hulance

TELEPHONE

+44 (0) 1793 865068

[email protected]

TOPIC AREA

Asset Management

Please indicate projects of interest on a copy of this form and return by to qualify for a 10% discount on new projects, providing an order follows by (this does not constitute a formal commitment to support a project).


Name .................................................................................................... Date .....................................

Organisation ..........................................................................................................................................

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Expression of Interest July 2012

WRc Plc, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, SN5 8YF, UKTel: +44 (0) 1793 865000 Direct Line: +44 (0) 1793 865155 Mobile: +44 (0) 7769 678341Email: [email protected] Fax: +44 (0) 1793 865001

New Projects

Ref. Title Interest 3

CP479

CP480

CP481

CP482

CP483

CP484

CP485

CP486

CP487

CP488

CP489

CP490

Whole-life cost-effective jointing techniques for PE pipes

Demonstrating efficient capital maintenance expenditure

Asset planning for improved resilience against severe droughts

Rapid tracking of hydrocarbon contamination in drinking water

Catchment management routes towards chemical free treatment

DBP risk management

Implementation of blockage diagnosis in sewers

Drainage-area-based phosphorus control

Compliance with phosphorus and metal consents requirements

Advanced aeration efficiency

Energy from waste - State of the art technology

Trial of wastewater dissolved oxygen monitorCP477

Reducing white water contacts

CP491

CP493

Co-digestion - A full scale practical test

Developing a quality protocol for beneficial recovery of screenings

Human health effects of thermosetting resins used for pipe lining

Adoption of flow amplifying devices in sewer managementCP494

CP492

CP495 Best practice for instrumentation use in challenging applications

Quantifying the benefits of catchment management forum

CP497 Maximising information from catchment management data

Mapping ecosystem servicesCP498

CP496

CP467 Defining and managing health risks from sewage flooding

CP476 Innovative full-bore hydrant insertion meter development

innovative and collaborative research · asset management consequences of asset failure on service...

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