“TO MAINTAIN A STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LEADING WORLD WATER RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS TO STRATEGICALLY GENERATE, EXCHANGE AND COMMUNICATE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS TO SUPPORT SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT.”
OUR MISSION
GLOBAL WATER RESEARCH COALITIONGWRC ANNUAL REVIEW 2017
In 2002 twelve leading research organisations have established an
international water research alliance: the Global Water Research
Coalition (GWRC). GWRC is a non-profit organisation that serves as
a focal point for the global collaboration for research planning and
execution on water and wastewater related issues.
The Coalition focuses on water supply and wastewater issues
and renewable water resources: the urban water cycle. The aim
of the GWRC is to leverage funding and expertise amongst the
participating research organisations, coordinate research strategies,
secure additional funding not available to single country research
foundations, and actively manage a centralised approach to global
water issues.
GWRC offers its members the opportunity to leverage resources
through cooperative planning and implementation of research.
The current members of the GWRC are listed below.
• Canadian Water Network (Canada)
• KWR Water Cycle Research Institute (Netherlands)
• PUB (Singapore)
• SUEZ (France)
• Stowa - Foundation for Applied Water Research (Netherlands)
• TZW DVGW - German Water Centre (Germany)
• UK Water Industry Research (UK)
• VEOLIA (France)
• Water Research Australia (Australia)
• Water Research Commission (South Africa)
• The Water Research Foundation (US)
• The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (US)
• Water Services Association of Australia (Australia)
The US Environmental Protection Agency has been a formal partner
of the GWRC since 2003. The Global Water Research Coalition is also
affiliated with the International Water Association (IWA).
GWRC members represent the interests and needs of 500 million
consumers and has access to research programs with a cumulative
annual budget of more than €180 million. The research portfolio of
the GWRC members spans the entire urban water cycle and covers
all aspects of resource management.
GLOBAL COOPERATION FOR THE EXCHANGE AND GENERATION OF WATER KNOWLEDGE.
The focus of the fifteens year was on the development and
implementation of research strategies for the selected priority
issues. The exchange of information and ongoing discussion of
emerging issues regarding present and future developments within
the urban water cycle continues to be a deliverable of interest to
all members. The main activities completed during the period are
summarised below.
Workshops on Bioanalytical Tools took place in February 2017
(Paris, France) and a workshop on Antibiotic Resistance took place
in Vienna in September 2017 ahead of the SETAC conference. New
projects and joint efforts were focused around the research topics
microplastics and in particular antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)
and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARG) and their risk in treatment
plants and water bodies.
The procedure for the inventory of new emerging parameters
identified possibilities for new joint activities and supported the
exchange of information and the development of common views
within the membership. Special topics of discussion in this period
included the potential risk of perfluorinated compounds with
a particular focus on Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFAS). The
occurrence, fate and transport, treatment, risk and implications of
PFAS in the water cycle is being researched worldwide and the
GWRC will be drafting a State of Knowledge report and organise a
workshop in 2018. Other Chemicals of Emerging Concern such as
Trifluoroacetate (TFA) an organofluorine compound has been under
the attention since several reports show the occurrence in rivers and
waters in Europe.
An inventory on “Resource Recovery” was compiled by STOWA and
posted on the GWRC public website.
Board meetings, workshops and topic discussions were organised for
the Board of Directors in Alexandria (U.S) on the 3&5 April 2017 and
in Karlsruhe (Germany) on the 21&22 September 2017.
GWRC ACTIVITIES IN 2017 IN BRIEF
The exchanges of information between members and partners has
developed into a very valuable part of the Board meetings. The
presentations by the hosting organisations and their stakeholders
give an additional dimension to the Board events.
In this period member visits and meetings with staff were organised
with TZW, WE&RF, VERI and SUEZ.
The MD was invited to meet with the Leader of the Water Team of
the OECD in Paris to discuss the collaboration of the GWRC with the
OECD in the areas of effect based monitoring/bioanalytical tools
and the co-convening of a workshop on the topic at the Stockholm
World Water Week in 2017 and 2018, as the GWRC was identified as
one of the leaders in the bioanalytical research field. This type of
international collaboration and presence is important in building up
the credibility of the GWRC.
The Board of the GWRC bid a fond farewell to Board member Theo
van den Hoven (KWR) at the last meeting in Karlsruhe in September
2017. Theo retired from the Board of Directors after having served
15 years making him one of the longest serving Board and founding
member.
Theo brought to the Board knowledge not only on emerging issues
in the water sector but also links to his extensive international
network in the water sector and especially through his active
involvement in European financed research and Europe’s Water
Sector in general. The Board will miss his experience and insights.
The Board also had the pleasure to meet Mariëlle van der Zouwen
who will be joining the Board of Directors to represent KWR as of
April 2018.
Josef Klinger (Chair of the Board of the GWRC) and Theo van den Hoven (right).
The joint research agenda of the GWRC addresses the urban water
cycle and covers a number of research areas including Water Quality
and Health, Wastewater Management and Resource Recovery,
Asset Management/Resilient Infrastructure and the Sustainable
Water Cycle. For each of these areas research strategies have been
developed including a set of specific projects. For the projects,
tailor-made teams of experts from GWRC members are formed and
agreements are made on the joint funding and execution of the
projects.
GWRC RESEARCH AGENDA 2017
The joint GWRC research agenda (Figure 1) is regularly updated
based on the actual needs of members and their stakeholders.
The GWRC members interested in each topical area collectively
develop specific research strategies and an accompanying portfolio
of research projects to address the identified information gaps. An
inventory of past and present research and a research-planning
workshop are part of this process. Individual members of the GWRC
coordinate and manage the joint research projects.
For each of the areas, teams of experts of the collaborating
members are formed when required to address knowledge gaps and
research needs.
RESEARCH AREAS
RESEARCH AGENDA
• Energy Efficiency and Resource Recovery (macro nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium) and (micro nutrients such as (copper, zinc,) and Recovery of commodities from wastewater such as metals, bioplastics, carbon-based products, (soil amendment/ beneficial organics)
• Reuse
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT & RESOURCE RECOVERY
WATER QUALITY AND HEALTH
Contaminants of emerging concerns (always
on the agenda) and more specifically:
• Algal toxins
• Origin and fate of waterborne pathogens
• Endocrine disruptors
• Pharmaceuticals and
Personal Care Products
• Perfluorinated compounds (PFAC/S)
• Nanoparticles & Microplastics
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Smart water systems (Role of digital water metering in terms of operational efficiency, demand management, customer service and staff resources)
• Condition assessment technologies including application strategies
• Maintenance – flushing, cleaning, installation
• Reconsider design (size of pipes, branches, less looped networks)
• Pipe material standards and construction techniques, “green” material standards
• Risk assessment techniques
• Build resilient systems for “extreme” events
• Adaptation/improvement of existing systems
• Risks, challenges and values
• Next generation sanitation: produce no sludge
ASSET MANAGEMENT/ RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Integrated Water Resource Management • Water Sensitive Design • Water Supply Diversification • Decentralisation • Natural Systems (Biomimicry, Wetlands,)2. Climate Change • Impacts on Water Utilities • Adaptation and Mitigation • Communication3. Energy Managemen & Generation • Energy efficiency and recovery • Energy and generation (heat recovery, biogas, hydro)4. Water/Energy/Food Nexus • Challenges and Trends • Financial and collaborative regimes (enabling/constraining) • Public Perception/Customer Values5. Sensors & Online Monitoring Guidance on sensors in the global water industry
SUSTAINABLE WATER CYCLE
This calendar year, the research focus areas were on continuing
research in the field of Water Quality and Health and in particular on
microplastics, antibiotic resistance and perfluorinated compounds
with a particular focus on PFAS. A new proposal on Phosphorous
Recovery was finalised.
An area of interest within the membership is microplastics, and a
Round Robin has been set up to explore method standardisation as
outlined in the section below.
The occurrence of estrogenic endocrine disruptors in water is still of
international concern because of potential adverse health effects on
wildlife and humans. Bio-analytical methods have become increasingly
popular and are seen as possible screening tools for measuring
estrogenic activity in water because the chemical nature of endocrine
activity in a sample may be unknown and/or difficult to quantify. This is
particularly true for those less-studied endocrine endpoints, where the
causative chemicals are often unknown.
Following the successful project Tools to detect estrogenic activity
in environmental waters a second GWRC project was started in 2014
named the “EDC Toolbox 2” project which expanded on the previous
project to develop and validate methods to measure estrogenic activity
including estrogenicity bioassays for analysing androgen, thyroid,
glucocorticoid and progestogen activity in different water matrices to
include a range of substantially less well-studied endocrine endpoints.
The final report has been finalised mid 2017.
Some important knowledge gaps were identified in the report:
• The need to develop a wider range of effect-based trigger
values for bioassays to anchor bioassay results into a risk context;
• The need to better understand the potential ecological risk and to
confirm the WP4 results, which were based on a limited number of
grab samples; and
• The need to better understand the effect of co-occurrence of
agonists and antagonists in water samples on in vitro bioassay
analysis, and test the influence of natural organic matter on the
responses of the TPO inhibition and TTR-FITC assays.
Three peer reviewed papers were also published on this work in
Chemosphere, Environment International and Water Research.
BIOANALYTICAL TOOLS
The presence and effects of microplastics in the aquatic environment
have raised considerable concerns over the past years. Governmental
agencies, water managers, food safety authorities and plastic
producers face uncertainties with respect to abundance and effects of
microplastics in the environment, which hampers the development of
sustainable solutions.
The media has circulated misinformation on the suspected occurrence
of microplastic in drinking water which has spread fear and uncertainty
amongst the public.
Water utilities are supporting research that will help them better
understand the potential exposure of consumers to microplastics via
drinking water but the toxicology of microplastics and overall relevance
for drinking water production must still be evaluated.
Water utilities are also supporting research that will help them
better understand the ability of their treatment processes to capture
microplastics and understand their transport and removal through the
wastewater system. This research will ensure the extent, nature and
source of the issue is accurately understood before implementing any
costly solutions that may not be effective.
However, there is currently a lack of standardized sampling protocols
and analytical methods to determine the occurrence of microplastics
in fresh water resources, waste water, sludge/sediments and biological
matrices.
Some of the GWRC members have already developed capabilities
to measure micro- and nanoplastics in aqueous matrices. However,
the methods employed vary significantly which leads in most cases
to different results. There is yet no universally applicable protocol
for sample preparation and each laboratory uses different analytical
techniques. The analytical methods that are currently most commonly
used are field flow fractionation, Raman microscopy, TEM/SEM, TGA-GC
and optical microscopy. This is why the Global Water Research Coalition
(GWRC) is undertaking an inter-laboratory comparison of microplastic
analytical techniques coordinated by the German Water Centre (TZW)
in an effort to standardise methods and protocols and to compare and
evaluate results of microplastic analysis in an international context. The
analytical methods that are currently most commonly used are, field
flow fractionation, Raman microscopy, TEM/SEM, TGA-GC and optical
microscopy. A report will be drafted with a summary of the results and
comparison of the different methods used and associated results with a
recommendation for further research under the umbrella of the GWRC
in 2018.
A global GWRC “Microplastic Fact Sheet” was drafted in response to
the media attention received globally by most members and partners
after the Guardian article was published. The fact sheet is on the GWRC
public side of the website.
MICROPLASTICS
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a rapidly evolving health issue extending
far beyond the human health sector. Awareness of the seriousness of
the situation and the need for urgent action is required at the highest
political level, globally and at country level. A cross sectoral approach is
required for effective action at global and national levels. (WHO, 2013).
Surveys undertaken on this topic indicate that ABR is often present in
surface waters and a relation with a sewage treatment plant, sewage
overflow of manure run-off is suspected. Most human ABR bacteria will
follow the faeces-sewage plant-effluent route to surface water, while
veterinary ABR bacteria will probably end up in surface water due to
run-off of manure or effluent of manure treatment plants.
STOWA is coordinating the task of preparing a proposal around
“Antibiotic Resistance in
the Water Environment” - setting up a risk based project, and will be
preparing a matrix/framework of the knowledge that we already have
within the GWRC membership and the “unknowns” plus the knowledge
that we still require following the format depicted in Figure 2.
A grey paper/brief was also prepared by H2Oké Water and STOWA from
the Netherlands and Water Research Commission from South Africa,
that summarises the current state of knowledge on antibiotic resistance
on the water cycle and antibiotic resistance gene transfer.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
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Figure 2: Matrix Structure looking at Hazard, Exposure and Risk of Antibiotic
Resistance and associated gene transfer.
The objective of this project was to develop a transparent and efficient
decision making framework to be used in making and communicating
decisions around the prioritisation of research efforts on emerging
contaminants. This work was initiated by a survey of water utilities and
other relevant stakeholders to assess current practices, criteria and
requirements. Following the survey, a summary report was prepared
as a ‘discussion paper’. This discussion paper was circulated among
water industry representatives for feedback. The final decision making
framework was then established. The decision making framework
was developed in the form of a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA)
tool. Chemical substances that are screened as a “high” priority to the
organisation will be subjected to more detailed MCDA. In this process,
questions are targeted at understanding the potential risks associated
with individual chemicals and the levels of uncertainty that are
inherent to the available information on those chemicals.
Many research prioritisation schemes currently use risk-based
assessment such as that used by the European Water Framework
Directive (WFD) (see Figure 3).
DECISION-MAKING FRAMEWORK FOR THE PRIORITISATION OF CONTAMINANTS OF EMERGING CONCERN
Figure 3 Outline of prioritisation methodology
Circular economy for nutrients! So far, the potential to recover and
recycle phosphorus remains untapped or is just inefficiently used
as in the case of sewage sludge, manure and food waste. To provide
alternatives to argued traditional nutrient recycling routes, various
technical solutions have been developed and implemented across the
globe in recent years. They allow recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen
minerals suitable as raw material for industries like fertilizer production
or even as ready-to-use renewable or next generation fertilizer.
This project will produce a world-wide compiled overview of promising
and implemented technologies for phosphorus recovery from
wastewater and highlights why some were successful and others not
after analyzing drivers and barriers in selected countries.
The existing infrastructure already provides the opportunity to recover
and recycle substantial quantities of P, including from ash. Smarter
sludge management will help to make the most out of the existing
infrastructure without the need for huge investments. The current legal
framework and the low prices for raw materials have to be considered
as market barriers. At current price levels for phosphate rock and other
raw materials, only legal requirements are likely to boost a wide-spread
implementation of phosphorus recovery and recycling especially from
the wastewater stream.
P RECOVERY AND RECYCLING FROM WASTEWATER
Figure 4: Bridging the gap between phosphorus recovery and recycling – fertiliser value chain
An important activity of the GWRC is the regular survey of emerging
substances related to water quality. To keep the membership informed,
review papers are produced on priority topics of common interest.
Pathogens of interest this year were Leptospira in recreational waters
using molecular tools and Opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms
such as (Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas
maltophilia, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, Aspergillus fumigates) and
their occurence in distributed drinking water.
Chemicals of Emerging Concern such as Trifluoroacetate (TFA) an
organofluorine compound which has been under the attention since
several reports on occurrence in rivers and waters in Germany and the
Netherlands was raised by members from Europe.
Perfluronated compounds (PFAS) is on the agenda of most of the
GWRC members and is an emerging issue internationally.
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
and Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) are part of a family of
manufactured compounds called per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS), which are used in a wide variety of applications. The
occurrence, fate and transport, treatment, risk and implications on the
water cycle is being researched worldwide.
EMERGING ISSUES ARISING WITHIN THE MEMBERSHIP
Two workshops were organised in 2017. One on bioanalytical tools in
Water and one on antibiotic resistance.
The workshop on “Predictive Bioanalytical Tools in Water- From Research to Implementation -”took place on the 21st and 22nd
of February 2017 in Paris and was co-organised and hosted by Veolia
Research & Innovation. The overall goal of this workshop was to
present the outcomes of recent projects on assessing endocrine active
compounds in environmental and drinking waters, and by extension
on the use and application of bioassays to measure the overall water
quality regarding chemical contaminants along with the whole
water cycle. The aim of the workshop was to summarise the results
in this field over the last 5 years, and specifically to highlight large
scale networking research actions at international level of academic,
institutional and industrial experts, to better assess and monitor
ecosystem and human health exposure towards complex mixtures of
chemicals along the water cycle including conventional and alternative
water schemes.
During the workshop attendees shared insights into the development
of bioassay applications and the advantages of the implementation and
addition of bioassays to the water quality toolbox. The workshop was a
good opportunity to communicate and discuss the implementation of
bioassays in water quality monitoring.
It was encouraging to hear that both the operators and regulators
expressed the expectation that the application of bioassays will aid in
the demonstration and communication of safer and cleaner water - not
only between people working in the water sector, but also with the
public and clients of drinking water companies.
In the workshop discussion groups on the first day, there was clear
consensus on the advantages of the addition of bioassays to the water
quality toolbox but the limitations were also expressed in regards
to the hurdles that need to be overcome, in particular related to
interpretation of and confidence in the bioassay results.
On the second day, clear common goals were defined and discussed,
and concrete proposals were drafted for efforts to efficiently overcome
these hurdles and to continue the collaboration and support the
implementation of bioassays. These project scoping documents are
currently being finalised in consultations with all project participants.
The workshop on “Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) in the Water Environment”
took place on the 17th of September 2017, in Vienna and was co-
organised by GWRC and STOWA and hosted by BOKU.
The objective of the workshop was to assess who was working in this
space and how we could share the research outcomes in this field using
a matrix structure to fill in gaps and possible assumptions to identify
where possible health risks are evident or unclear. The objective is to
set up a shared knowledge portal on the GWRC website to exchange
knowledge on this widely researched topic.
WORKSHOPS
One of the key assets of the Global Water Research Coalition is the
rapid and intense exchange of information, knowledge and know-
how within the membership including members sharing information
with their stakeholders and vice versa.
The meetings of the Board of Directors play a vital role to keep
the research agenda up-to-date and to set the course for the joint
activities and projects.
Board meetings, workshops and topic discussions were organised
for the Board of Directors in Alexandria (U.S) on the 3&5 April
2017 and in Karlsruhe (Germany) on the 21&22 September
2017. Workshops and topic discussions in Alexandria included a
presentation by George Hawkins (CEO of DC Water), who spoke
about the transformation of DC Water into an innovative, customer-
oriented enterprise. and the $470 million waste-to-energy program
that he has been overseeing. He also spoke about the DC Water’s
infrastructure replacement program, and described the launch of a
new workforce development program called “DC Water Works!”, and
more.
Topic discussions at the Board meeting in Karlsruhe included
a presentation by Dr Ursula Maier (Deputy head of the division
for water quality in rivers and lakes at Environmental Ministry
of the county Baden-Württemberg) who gave an overview of
the implementation of the trace compound strategy in Baden-
Württemberg and the two pillar strategy undertaken which includes
the precautionary principle and the identification of hotspots.
Additionally, Dr Maier mentioned that she was actively working on
the trace compound strategy of Germany, which is under preparation
at the moment.
Topic discussions at the Board meeting in Karlsruhe included
a presentation by Dr Ursula Maier (Deputy head of the division
for water quality in rivers and lakes at Environmental Ministry
of the county Baden-Württemberg) who gave an overview of
the implementation of the trace compound strategy in Baden-
Württemberg and the two pillar strategy undertaken which includes
the precautionary principle and the identification of hotspots.
Additionally, Dr Maier mentioned that she was actively working on
the trace compound strategy of Germany, which is under preparation
at the moment.
COMMUNICATION
George Hawkins, CEO, DC Water, US
A brochure was drafted outlining the value of the membership, research
approach, agenda and outputs from the coalition over the past few
years. The brochure can be used to highlight the value and tangible/
intangible outputs of the GWRC to internal and external stakeholders.
GWRC BROCHURE
The GWRC Board of Directors is made up of the representatives of
the GWRC members. Josef Klinger (TZW) is the chair of the Board as
elected at the September 2015 Board meeting in Pretoria and Adam
Lovell (WSAA) is the vice chair of the Board.
Board meetings, workshops and topic discussions were organised for
the Board of Directors in Alexandria (U.S) on the 3&5 April 2017 and
in Karlsruhe (Germany) on the 21&22 September 2017.
The exchanges of information between members and partners has
developed into a very valuable part of the Board meetings. The
presentations by the hosting organisations and their stakeholders
give an additional dimension to the Board events.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was invited as an observer
to the Board meeting in Karlsruhe to explore whether they would
join the GWRC as a new member or partner. CAS is positioned as
one of the leading research institutes in China with an excellent
track record in scientific engineering research, extensive partnership
with international experts and compatible values of openness and
collaboration.
GWRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors Meeting in Alexandria (U.S), April 2017, hosted by WE&RF & US EPA (photo on the left) and in Karlsruhe, Germany in September 2017 hosted by TZW (photo on the right)
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD (2017)
Bernadette Conant Executive Director, Canadian Water Network
Theo van den Hoven Director Research, KWR
Harry Seah Assistant Chief Executive (Future Systems &Technology) /
Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, PUB.
Joost Buntsma Executive Director, STOWA
Philippe Gislette Treatment Infrastructure & Senior Scientific Advisor, SUEZ
Josef Klinger CEO, TZW (German Water Centre) (Chair)
Hans Jensen Executive Director, UK Water Industry Research
Marie-Renée de Roubin Direction of strategic partnerships, Veolia
Melissa Meeker CEO, Water Environment & Reuse Foundation
Dhesigen Naidoo CEO, Water Research Commission
Karen Rouse CEO, Water Research Australia Limited
Rob Renner Executive Director, Water Research Foundation
Adam Lovell Executive Director, Water Services Association of Australia (Vice-Chair)
Stéphanie Rinck-Pfeiffer Managing Director, GWRC (secretary/treasurer)
Suzanne van Drunick (National Program Director Safe and Sustainable Water Resources, US EPA) and
Hong Li (Manager Science, Technology and Specialist Groups) have an ex-officio position on the Board
and are partners of the GWRC.
Reports of the joint GWRC research activities (2002 – 2017) are presented below.
GWRC REPORTS
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDC)Occurrence of EDC in water systems September 2003
Overview of EDC sources and biological methods September 2003
Priority list of EDC September 2003
EDC Knowledge gaps and research needs September 2003
Workshop EDC Analytical Methods (Karlsruhe) July 2003
EDC in sewage sludge: analytical method development August 2003
EDC in sewage sludge: a comparison of analytical method February 2004
Comparison of analytical chemical methods for EDC in water and sludge May 2006
In Vitro Bioassays to Detect Estrogenic Activity in Environmental Waters May 2006
Tools to detect estrogenic activity in environmental waters February 2008
Bio-analytical Tools to analyse Hormonal Activity in Environmental Waters June 2012
Bioanalytical tools to analyse hormonal activity in environmental waters (WP1 & WP2 Interim reports) July & September 2015
Bioanalytical Tools to analyse hormonal activity in environmental waters (Final Project Report) April 2017
PharmaceuticalsPharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Water Cycle – An international review March 2004
Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Water Cycle – Report of the GWRC Research
Strategy Workshop
March 2004
International Priority List of PhAC relevant for the Water Cycle April 2008
GWRC Science Brief – Occurrence and Potential for Human Health Impact of Pharmaceuticals in the
Water System-
June 2009
“Predictive bioanalytical tools in water” from research to implementation (Workshop Report) February 2017
NitrosaminesAnalysis, Toxicity, Occurrence, Fate and Removal of Nitrosamines in the Water Cycle February 2007
Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotic Resistance- Report of the GWRC Workshop June 2016
Antibiotic Resistance in the Water Environment (Grey Paper) October 2016
Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) in the Water Environment “setting up a risk based project” (Vienna)
(Workshop Report)
September 2017
MicroplasticsGWRC Science Brief on Microplastics in Freshwater Resources September 2015
GWRC Global Fact Sheet on Microplastics October 2017
Hardness and Cardiovascular DiseaseEvaluation of the Epidemiological Evidence June 2006
Hardness: Reasons and Criteria for Softening and Conditioning of Drinking Water April 2007
Algal ToxinsManagement Strategies for Algal Toxins – An International Review May 2004
Management Strategies for Algal Toxins – Report of the GWRC Research Strategy Workshop December 2005
International Guidance Manual for the Management of Toxic Cyanobacteria
Sensors and Online MonitoringReal-time online Monitoring of Contaminants in Water May 2008
Compendium of Sensors and Monitors and their Use in the Global Water Industry June 2014
Asset ManagementGWRC Research Strategy on Asset Management – A Scoping Study April 2005
Asset Management – Report of the GWRC Research Strategy Workshop October 2005
Tool for Risk Management of Water Utility Assets May 2008
Methodology for Benefit and Cost Valuation in Asset Management April 2009
Compendium of Best Practice in Water Infrastructure Asset Management January 2010
Key Asset Data for Water and Wastewater Utilities June 2012
Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)Membrane Bioreactors for Municipal Wastewater Treatment – State of the Science Report October 2005
Membrane Bioreactors for Municipal Wastewater Treatment - Report of the GWRC Research Strategy
Workshop
October 2005
Investigation of MBR Water Effluent Quality and Technology May 2012
Water ReuseStatus and Role of Water Reuse – an International View August 2005
Water Reuse – Report of the GWRC Research Strategy Workshop August 2005
Water Reuse – Identifying Future Challenges and Opportunities April 2012
DesalinationDesalination – Brine and Residual Management April 2012
WastewaterEnergy and Resource Recovery from Sludge November 2007
Wastewater Treatment 2030 – Improvement Energy Efficiency in Municipal Wastewater Treatment May 2011
Waterborne PathogensA review on Current Knowledge on Waterborne Pathogens (2nd edition) November 2009
Waterborne Pathogens – Report of the GWRC Research Strategy Workshop June 2006
Fate and Occurrence of Emerging Contaminants and Pathogens - Workshop Report July 2015
Energy and Climate ChangeWater and Energy – Report of the Research Strategy Workshop February 2009
Energy Efficiency in the Water Industry – Compendium of Best Practice and Case Studies March 2011
Toolbox for Water Utilities Energy and GHG Emission Management March 2013
Water Footprint in the Urban Water Sector (4 volumes) October 2011
N2O and CH4 emissions from Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems – State of the Science November 2011
N2O and CH4 emissions from Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems – Technical Report November 2011
GWRC Science Brief on N2O and CH4 emissions from WWT systems August 2013
Resource RecoveryInventory “Resource Recovery Projects” (summary of member activities) September 2015
Canadian Water Network (Canada)The Canadian Water Network (CWN) is a national nonprofit organization that is driving Canada’s progress on water challenges. CWN connects researchers with water managers from both industry and government, to collectively identify and address shared needs. Areas of focus include protecting public health, ensuring sustainable water infrastructure, and protecting Canada’s watersheds and ecosystems. CWN’s consortium approach to research encourages collaboration across disciplines and ensures that the right combinations of knowledge yield tangible results. The network’s expertise is increasingly sought to inform water policy as well as improve water management and stewardship across municipal and provincial boundaries. CWN initiatives currently engage more than 37 Canadian universities and connect them with more than 100 partners from industry, government and non-governmental organizations. www.cwn-rca.ca
KWR – Watercycle Research Institute (Netherlands)KWR is an independent water research institute covering the whole of the water cycle. It was formed in 2008 by expansion from Kiwa Water Research which had specialised in the field of drinking water. Building on a solid foundation from over 60 years of research and development for the Dutch drinking water sector companies, KWR is now applying this knowledge base and research capability more broadly to serve all partners in the watercycle. KWR’s worldwide activities and high-quality research are aimed at scientific knowledge that is practically applicable, to allow the building of bridges between science, business and society. www.kwrwater.nl
PUB (Singapore)PUB is the national water agency and it manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and sewerage in an integrated way. PUB is responsible for managing the whole water cycle, from sourcing to the collection, purification and supply of drinking water, to the treatment of used water and its reclamation into NEWater, as well as the drainage of stormwater. Leveraging on technology, PUB has put in place a reliable water supply system known as the Four National Taps. Water reclamation (or NEWater) and desalination make up two of the four water sources, besides water from local catchments and imported water. To ensure the sustainability of Singapore’s water supply, PUB continuously invests in R & D to find new sources of water and to produce and treat water cost-efficiently. www.pub.gov.sg
SUEZ (France)The International Research Center On Water and Environment (C.I.R.S.E.E.) is the principal SUEZ Environmental research centre in the field of water. The multidisciplinary research program focuses on new water treatment processes, understanding factors affecting water quality, and improving real-time system management. CIRSEE also provides analytical services and consultancy, emergency assistance for dealing with pollution events, and technical advice on water and wastewater treatment. Both research and consultancy activities have a strong international involvement. www.suez-environnement.com and www.cirsee.com
STOWA (Netherlands)The STOWA (Foundation for Applied Water Management Research) was founded in 1971. The foundation coordinates and commissions research on behalf of a large number of local water administrations in the Netherlands. The bodies which contribute to the STOWA include water boards, provinces and the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. Central coordination and planning of research through STOWA has permitted more cost-effective and strategic long term research planning, and enhanced involvement and communication between water managers from different agencies. www.stowa.nl
TZW – The German Water Centre (Germany)TZW (DVGW Technologiezentrum Wasser) is the centre of applied research of the German Waterworks Association (DVGW). TZW is a non-profit organization and provides scientific consulting to waterworks and to governmental bodies and offices. The mission of TZW is transferring scientific knowledge to the water industry. TZW fulfils this mission by carrying out applied research for the drinking water community and by direct cooperation with the waterworks. TZW provides not only research but practical experience and know-how for the solution of water problems. www.tzw.de
GWRC MEMBERS
UK Water Industry Research (UK)UKWIR facilitates and manages collaborative research for water and sewage companies in the United Kingdom. Its research programme aims to generate sound science as the basis for sound regulation and sound practice. UKWIR was set up by the UK water industry in 1993 to provide a framework for the procurement of a common research programme for UK water operators on ‘one voice’ issues. The research contracted by UKWIR is often carried out in collaboration with government departments and regulators, and covers all aspects of the water cycle, and a range of related environmental and regulatory issues. www.ukwir.org
Veolia (France)Veolia Environnement Research and Innovation (VERI) is the research department of Veolia, a worldwide service company operating in 74 countries. The water activities comprises the operation of urban and industrial water and wastewater plants but also the supply of engineering and technological solutions. VERI portfolio of water related projects is based on an international network and numerous collaborations and includes resource management tools, water treatment technologies, drinking water quality in distribution network and asset management, waste water collection networks management, emerging parameter management to take care of environmental and health risks, global environmental approaches, and sustainable urban development. www.veoliaenvironnement.com
Water Environment & ReuseFoundation (US)The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to promote the development and application of sound science to water quality issues. WERF subscribers include municipal and regional water and wastewater utilities, industrial corporations, environmental engineering firms, and others that share a commitment to cost-effective water quality solutions that protect the environment and improve the quality of life for all. Established in 1989, WERF is now the largest organization in the United States providing wastewater and water quality research. www.werf.org
Water Research Australia Limited (Australia)Water Research Australia Limited (WaterRA) is a not for profit organisation focusing on initiating, facilitating and managing collaborative research of national application in the priority areas of water quality for the Australian water industry and the community. WaterRA (formerly WQRA) marks the successful transition from the federally funded CRC Water Quality and Treatment, to a company that is owned and funded by its members who include the Australian water utilities, research organisations, government departments and private companies. WaterRA brings together key water research groups and industry members across Australia to conduct targeted, priority research. These relationships place WaterRA in a unique position to draw on the expertise and experience of its membership community to rapidly address current and emerging issues in water. www.waterra.com.au
Water Research Commission (South Africa)The Water Research Commission aims to contribute effectively to the best possible quality of life for the people of South Africa, by promoting water research and the application of research findings. This is accomplished by promoting coordination, communication and cooperation in the field of water research; establishing water research needs and priorities; funding research on a priority basis; and promoting the effective transfer of information and technology. Since its formation in 1971, WRC has been successful in promoting a significant expansion and upgrading of expertise in the South African. water industry. www.wrc.org.za
Water Research Foundation (US)Water Research Foundation is an international, non-profit organisation that is supported by more than 900 subscribers which serve over 200 million consumers. The research effort enables water utilities, public health agencies and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to the public. Its mission of “advancing the science of water” is achieved by sponsoring research, developing knowledge, and promoting collaboration. www.waterresearchfoundation.org
Water Services Association of AustraliaEstablished in 1995, WSAA is an industry association for Australia’s major urban water businesses which collectively supply water services to 70% of Australia’s population. WSAA’s primary goals are to facilitate cooperation to improve the water industry’s productivity and performance, and to ensure that the regulatory environment adequately serves the interest of the community. Major areas of activity include identification of priority issues for the water industry, appropriate research and policy response, strategic contribution to industry regulation, and development of industry codes.
www.wsaa.asn.au
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyThe mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment. Within US EPA, the Office of Research and Development (ORD) provides leadership in science and engineering, conducting research on ways to prevent pollution, protect human health, and reduce risk. Water-related research is among the highest priority research programs within ORD.
www.epa.gov
International Water Association (UK)The International Water Association (IWA) is a global reference point for water professionals, spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. Through its network of members and experts in research, practice, regulation, industry, consulting and manufacturing, IWA is in a better position than any other organisation to help water professionals create innovative, pragmatic and sustainable solutions to challenging global needs. The IWA network is structured to promote multi-level collaboration among its diverse membership groups, and to share the benefit of knowledge on water science and management worldwide.
www.iwahq.org
GWRC PARTNERS
