WET News

CONtaCt DEtaILs Call: 01249 705 30 or visit www.ovivowater.co.uk/rbc 4 WET NEWS AUGUST 2014 News+ WFD targets will be missed due to water contaminants • Researchers suggest municipal sewage treatment plants are among primary factors contributing chemical contamination in aquatic ecosystems. T argets set under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are unlikely to be met by EU member states due to high levels of contaminants in fresh water bodies and watercourses, accord- ing to research conducted by the Institute for Environmental Sci- ences Landau together with the Helmholtz Centre for Environ- mental Research and fellow scien- tists from France (University of Lorraine and EDF) and Switzer- land (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology). The study demonstrated for the first time that ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals are considerably greater than has generally been assumed on a pan-European scale, the researchers said. Together with their French and Swiss colleagues, scientists from Landau and Leipzig inves- tigated the extent to which risk thresholds were exceeded for three groups of organisms NEED TO KNOW Risk thresholds were exceeded for three groups of organisms in the river basins of major stream networks such as the Danube and Rhine Pesticides were by far the major toxicants of freshwater systems Ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals are considerably greater than has generally been assumed on a pan- European scale EU targets focus primarily on so-called priority substance – around 40 chemicals classified as being particularly hazardous to the aquatic environment – fish, invertebrates and algae / primary producers – in the river basins of major stream networks such as the Danube and Rhine. Unfortunately, analysis was hampered to a certain extent by variation in the extent and qual- ity of national monitoring sys- tems. For example, the study found water quality was worst in France, but scientists said this was likely due to authorities installing a dense monitoring network and test for a multitude of substances. The researchers said: "In other countries, by contrast, risks may remain unrecognised due to inadequate sensitivity in chemi- cal analysis or an incomplete list of ecotoxicologically-relevant monitoring compounds." Head of the research study team, Dr Ralf Schäfer from the Institute for Environmental Sci- ences, Landau, said: "Generally speaking we probably underes- timated rather than overesti- mated the risks in our analyses. The actual state and condition of European freshwater ecosys- tems is probably even worse." Primary factors contributing to chemical contamination of aquatic ecosystems are dis- charge from agricultural activi- ties, urban areas and municipal sewage treatment plants. Pesti- cides were by far the major toxi- cants of freshwater systems, although organotin compounds, brominated flame retardants and combustion-derived polycy- clic aromatic hydrocarbons also occurred at critical levels of concentration. Current EU targets focus pri- marily on so-called priority sub- stance – around 40 chemicals classified as being particularly hazardous to the aquatic environment. The researchers said their findings back up calls for urgent action in a number of areas to improve freshwater quality. The scientists recommended the introduction and intelligent linking of ecological and effect- based chemical screening meth- ods as the only financially GOOD MONTH BAD MONTH LiMA, MMB, C2V+, Advance and Jacobs will carry out United Utilities AMP6 capital delivery programme. Liz Truss is promoted to environment secretary in the PM's Cabinet Reshuffle. Thames Water is fined a nominal £1 by Ofwat for misreporting sewer data in 2010. EC has written to the UK government urging it take action over several water-related issues. viable way of capturing the whole spectrum of ecotoxico- logically relevant substances; general prevention of excessive chemical inputs into water bod- ies and the banishment and substitution of particularly problematic substances; reduc- tions in the application of agri- cultural chemicals; and improvement of sewage and wastewater treatment methods and technologies – among others. The researchers said they were in complete agreement that: "Unless there is noticeable change to the current situation, the objec- tives and targets of the Water Framework Directive will not be met, due to toxicity from chemi- cals in the freshwater ecosystems. In the long term this may also lead to risks for humans, caused by possible failure of ecosystem ser- vices, such as impairment of the self-purification capacity of water bodies. CONTRACT WINS • JN Bentley is to construct a new service reservoir for United Utilities. The £7M-plus Jacksons Edge SR Refurbishment project includes the design, build and commissioning of the new reservoir as well as the demolition of the existing one at Disley, Stockport. • The Environment Agency has awarded a £9M framework contract to IPL and Manhattan Atrium to implement a new system to manage the upkeep of its flood and coastal defence assets. The first phase of work under the framework will be to implement Manhattan Atrium's Enterprise Asset Management System. • SPP Pumps is providing energy assessment services at a large pumping station in Belfast as part of a new deal with NI Water. The project involves a full pump system assessment of four 36" Weir Harland MSz vertical turbine pumps, each producing 2,273l/s at 7.6m. • Water company hopes to capture rainwater, taking up 21Ml of water out of the sewers a year Anglian spends £200K on natural flood prevention A nglian Water is investing more than £200K in sus- tainable flood prevention measures in Taverham. The sus- tainable urban drainage scheme (SUDs) entails capturing rainwa- ter and diverting it into a drain- age system using special plants and grasses. The new project could take up to 21Ml of water out of the sewers every year and put it back into the environment naturally. Anglian will create five basins on land in the north-east of Taverham to capture rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground. When it rains heavily the basins will fill up and slow the flow of water to the existing drainage system. Any excess sur- face water will be channelled onto a new permeable footpath to a wetland area and pond. The basins will feature "thirsty" wildflower grasses and plants in strategic places to cre- ate a larger system that slows and soaks up the water, allowing it to drain away more effectively. Jonathan Glerum, Anglian Water's flood risk manager, said that traditionally Anglian would build bigger pipes or tanks to store the water during storms. However, such schemes take a long time to plan and install, and are disruptive to residents and expensive. Glerum continued: "This SuDS scheme is not just effective; it's also roughly half the cost of the traditional solution, which enables us to keep customer bills low. Plus, they allow you to work with nature rather than fighting against it. It's a win-win which is why we are pioneering the technology." NEED TO KNOW The scheme is half the cost of installing bigger pipers or tanks Five retention basins will be built to capture rainwater and divert it to a drainage system Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) mimic the way rainfall drains in natural systems Many existing drainage systems can cause problems of flooding, pollution or damage to the environment Planning policies encourage the adoption of SUDs and high standards of water Scientists say risks may remain unrecognised because of inadequate sensitivity in chemical analysis

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