EARLYWATER - An integrated early warning system to control emerging pollutants and pathogens in reclaimed water
Lead Research Organisation:
Brunel University London
Department Name: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
The accurate identification of threats, the estimation of risks and deployment-prioritization of countermeasures to mitigate against water pollutants pose major challenges for researchers and practitioners. The first step in addressing these challenges is to create the methods and technologies to collect enough data to build a better picture of the current state of affair. At present, pollutants monitoring is conducted on freshwater. The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) and pathogens in treated effluents, aquatic environment and reclaimed water is increasing environmental and public health concerns. Therefore, there is a need for rapid detection of contamination in real-time to ensure appropriate and timely response. The aim of EARLYWATER is to design and apply modern monitoring and analytical methods for detection and prediction of pollutants occurrence in wastewater and reclaimed water in near real-time. EARLYWATER will deliver an early warning system for ECs and pathogen threats detection and associated risks in near real-time. It will become an effective look-ahead decision support solution for responding to events, facilitating evidence-based decision making. Under the MSCA programme, the Fellow will enhance her knowledge by joining specialists in advanced data acquisition technologies, data analytics, systems modelling, simulation and applied control in Process and Water Engineering at the host (Brunel University London), with further and complementary training in two other EU academic institutes (The Marche Polytechnic University and the Delft University of Technology) and collaboration with industry (Jacobs UK). The training program will broaden the Fellow's skills and her career prospects in these promising and rapidly growing fields. The project's findings will contribute to the smartification of water, and wastewater sectors. The results will also make educational and social impact through engagement with educational institutions and the public.
Publications
Koumaki E
(2025)
Circular water management in agriculture: Screening of contaminants of emerging concern in a real-world water-soil-crop system and human health risk assessment.
in Journal of hazardous materials
Related Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/X02380X/1 | 01/01/2023 | 31/01/2024 | £204,031 | ||
| EP/X02380X/2 | Transfer | EP/X02380X/1 | 01/02/2024 | 31/12/2024 | £122,769 |
| Description | The award aims to support decision-making using a probabilistic causal network designed to address the risk of microbial contamination following Reclaimed Water Reuse. The selection of this approach was motivated by two commonly encountered problems: (a) data scarcity, and (b) the presence of latent variables, which hinder modeling efforts. The causal network quantifies the likelihood of microbial hazards and serves as a probabilistic early warning system to guide decision-making in uncertain conditions. Specifically, the early warning system addresses a key question: Given evidence (either hard or soft) regarding certain variables in the problem (such as influent characteristics or operational parameters of the plant), what is the likelihood of microbial hazards occurring? Conversely, in the event of an occurrence, the model can provide evidence supporting responses to the question: What is the most probable explanation for the observed hazardous event? Issuing early warnings empowers operators to proactively identify and tackle potential microbial contamination risks in reclaimed water and its hotspots. Understanding the primary risk factors enables efficient monitoring, enhanced safety measures, and ultimately reduces the risk of waterborne diseases linked to microbial contamination. Moreover, the early warning system facilitates near-real-time assessment of water quality in both wastewater treatment and water reclamation facilities, enabling swift responses to contamination incidents and improving overall risk management practices. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this research provide a strong foundation for further advancements in risk assessment for reclaimed water reuse and environmental risk evaluation, particularly in the context of the revised Directive 2024/3019 on wastewater disposal. Academically, the findings can inform future research on contaminants of emerging concern, guiding studies on risk mitigation strategies and policy development. Researchers in environmental science, public health, and water management can build upon this work by integrating risk-based approaches into broader sustainability frameworks. Beyond academia, regulatory agencies and policymakers can leverage these insights to refine water reuse guidelines and improve monitoring practices, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Water utilities and wastewater treatment operators can also benefit from the study's methodologies, applying them to enhance risk management strategies for treated effluent disposal and reuse. Additionally, industry stakeholders in agriculture and food safety may use these findings to assess potential risks associated with irrigating crops with reclaimed water. By fostering collaboration between academia, regulatory bodies, and industry practitioners, this research lays the groundwork for evidence-based decision-making, supporting safer and more sustainable water management practices in line with EU regulatory advancements. |
| Sectors | Environment |