TO CHLORINATE, OR NOT TO CHLORINATE?
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Engineering
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
- University of Glasgow (Lead Research Organisation)
- BBSRC (Co-funder)
- UK Water Industry Research Ltd (Collaboration)
- Yorkshire Water (Collaboration)
- Severn Trent Water (Collaboration)
- Anglian Water Services (Collaboration)
- Welsh Water (Collaboration)
- Scottish Water (Collaboration)
- United Utilities Group PLC (Collaboration)
- Northumbrian Water (Collaboration)
Publications
Bhandari D
(2024)
Modelling the Dynamics of P. aeruginosa in the Formation of Biofilms
DÃaz S
(2023)
The Impact of Ground Heat Capacity on Drinking Water Temperature
in Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Gleeson K
(2023)
A data quality assessment framework for drinking water distribution system water quality time series datasets
in Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
Ijaz U
(2024)
Specialty grand challenge: how can we use integrative approaches to understand microbial community dynamics?
in Frontiers in Systems Biology
Kyritsakas G
(2023)
Forecasting bacteriological presence in treated drinking water using machine learning
in Frontiers in Water
Kyritsakas G
(2023)
A Big Data framework for actionable information to manage drinking water quality
in AQUA - Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society
Kyritsakas G
(2024)
A data-driven predictive model for disinfectant residual in drinking water storage tanks
in AWWA Water Science
Park JW
(2023)
Predicting heterotrophic plate count exceedance in tap water: A binary classification model supervised by culture-independent data.
in Water research
| Description | 'To chlorinate, or not to chlorinate' challenged and interrogated the widely adopted practice of maintaining disinfectant residuals as always the best way to protect public health from microbial risks occurring in Drinking Water Distribution Systems (DWDS). The focus of the research was on understanding the impacts of disinfectant residuals on biofilms in DWDS as the critical missing link in evaluation of drinking water disinfection and microbial quality from source to tap. The research developed new understanding of the selective pressures of disinfection residual regimes, in combination with other environmental factors, on biofilms and their potential to harbour, proliferate and release pathogens. Importantly, we were able to demonstrate that contamination events can seed pathogens into DWDS biofilms which remain over significant time periods, and that chlorine affects the growth and fate of these pathogens. This new understanding unlocked the ability to holistically evaluate disinfection strategies for a given water supply system, which will assist water utilities in minimising adverse impacts while ensuring public health. We developed and applied a range of unique physical experiential facilities and methods to understand the conditions and factors that favour: colonisation, growth and mobilisation of pathogens within DWDS biofilms, focusing on the selective pressure effects of disinfection residuals. This included novel methods for pathogen identification, quantification and critically viability assessment. We developed and enhanced facilities to better simulate biofilm behaviour at bench top and full scale pipe loop facilities in both the laboratory and field site environments. Using the laboratory results, we developed and calibrated modelling tools to describe biofilm, in particular the selective pressure effects of disinfection residuals and what this means for pathogen incorporation and proliferation. We developed models to describe biofilm and associated pathogen mobilisation and integrated this with quantitative microbial risk assessment tools to estimate exposure across a city-scale DWDS. By applying this modelling approach in scenarios that were developed and discussed with our steering group, the implications of the research become tangible for DWDS operations and contamination event response. We have developed an internationally leading team of researchers that integrate engineering, microbiology and modelling to deliver world leading understanding, expertise, tools and techniques, developing a next generation of engineers and scientists helping address an area where there is a recognised national need and skills shortage. |
| Exploitation Route | 'To chlorinate, or not to chlorinate' is driving new international research on the selective pressure effects of disinfection residuals, and how this integrates with other perceived benefits and risks. For example, we are integrating with a series of disinfection byproduct research projects in the United States funded by their Environmental Protection Agency (in particular enabled through our international collaborations) to understand the trade-offs between microbial and chemical health risks. The research is also contributing to quantifying the risks and issues occurring within premises, a theme given new emphasis by changing building occupancy trends during COVID, but now considering and linking the upstream impacts from the drinking water distribution system and the premises plumbing much more closely. This is the subject of a Future Leaders Fellowship application by one of our investigators, in progress. The research is also reaching further upstream of the DWDS to consider the role of biofilms and disinfection within and between stages at water treatment works. This has led to direct funding from two partner water companies and is under discussion for an Ofwat Innovation project. |
| Sectors | Environment Other |
| URL | https://www.tochlorinate.ac.uk/ |
| Description | The research has actively opened the debate and changed opinions within the water industry about the optimal levels of disinfection residual that should be used to best protect public health and wellbeing. This debate has involved reassessment of the perceived benefits for limiting microbial regrowth and protection against cross contamination or ingress, the risks associated with disinfection byproduct formation as well as the specific focus on biofilms and their response to the selective pressure of disinfection residual. Our partners, including water companies and regulators, have actively engaged and directed the research through the project steering meetings, dissemination events, and workshops and have actively translated the outcomes into their policy and practices. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Environment,Other |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Description | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure & Resilience II (WIRe II) |
| Amount | £8,174,028 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Y035178/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 09/2032 |
| Description | Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre |
| Amount | £11,610,427 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/Y008332/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 03/2029 |
| Description | Collaboration with Anglian Water |
| Organisation | Anglian Water Services |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Anglian Water have been an active member of our steering committee |
| Collaborator Contribution | project steering committee |
| Impact | policy and practice in AW |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Collaboration with Northumbrian Water |
| Organisation | Northumbrian Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Severn Trent Water / United Utilities / Northumbrian Water throughout the course of the project in the application of the created technology to real world treatment and supply conditions (e.g. collection and monitoring of sample waters). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Membership of steering committee, direction, advice, comparative analysis and field testing |
| Impact | Field testing leading to reports, publications and follow on funding |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Collaboration with Severn Trent Water |
| Organisation | Severn Trent Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Severn Trent Water / United Utilities / Northumbrian Water throughout the course of the project in the application of the created technology to real world treatment and supply conditions (e.g. collection and monitoring of sample waters). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Membership of steering committee, direction, advice, comparative analysis and field testing |
| Impact | Field testing and comparative analysis leading to reports, publications and further funding |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Collaboration with United Utilities |
| Organisation | United Utilities Group PLC |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | United Utilities have been an active member of the project steering committee |
| Collaborator Contribution | project steering committee |
| Impact | Policy and practice within UU |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Collaboration with Welsh water |
| Organisation | Welsh Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Active member of project steering group |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research strategy and directions |
| Impact | research input and other research ideas / projects |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Collaboration with Yorkshire Water |
| Organisation | Yorkshire Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Yorkshire Water have been an active member of the steering group for this project |
| Collaborator Contribution | project steering committee |
| Impact | policy and practice in YW |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | UK Water Industry Research |
| Organisation | UK Water Industry Research Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | research outputs and outcomes, strategic direction |
| Collaborator Contribution | Active members of project steering board, match funding |
| Impact | tbc |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | UK Water Industry, Scottish Water |
| Organisation | Scottish Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Research strategy and direction, research and publication |
| Collaborator Contribution | Research challenges, field testing and active members of project steering group |
| Impact | Publications |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | A talk at the WatNet annual conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joby Boxall gave a talk at the WatNet confenence in 2024 entitled 'Unintended impacts of chlorine on biofilms: Is less, more?' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | A talk to Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), a Saudi governmental institution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Professor Joby Boxall gave a talk and led debate on innovation in the water sector and drinking water quality |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Input provided to Public Services and Procurement Canada |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof Speight provided input on the latest research on 2 May 2024 to the Legionella and Potable Water Program, National Center of Expertise for Custodial Health and Safety Environment, Health and Safety Directorate, Technical Services, Real Property Services, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). This agency is responsible for drinking water quality in all Canadian government buildings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited Online Webinar, Multivariate statistical analysis of shotgun metagenomics and other OMICS datasets with CViewer, DDC Informatics User Group Meeting, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, USA (c/o Dr Numan Oezguen) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The talk was about CViewer, the recently released software from Dr Umer Zeeshan Ijaz's lab and how it can be used to perform multivariate statistical analysis of whole genome shotgun metagenomics data with other omics modalities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited Talk and Official Visit, National Institute for Genomics & Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), Government of Pakistan (c/o Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council; and Dr Shoukat Ali, Principal Scientific Officer, and Director NIGAB) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Dr Umer Zeeshan Ijaz visited National Institute for Genomics & Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) http://nigab.parc.gov.pk/. He was hosted by Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC (https://parc.gov.pk/ProfileDetail/NTM5ZDBkOTYtOTI4NS00Y2UyLWI2NTctZjRlYTk4YWMwY2Ez ) and Dr Shoukat Ali, Principal Scientific Officer, and Director, NIGAB (https://pk.linkedin.com/in/shaukat-ali-4a77a651?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F ). Dr Ijaz presented recent developments in his lab, including CViewer software. Afterwards, he visited their sequencing facility which they have established with BGI, China (https://www.bgi.com/global) and which is operational now, churning out sequencing data on routine basis, including that on whole genome shotgun sequencing of plants, as well as their transcriptomics. Note that NIGAB is a state of the art complex of biotechnology in Islamabad which houses 28 labs including bioinformatics lab, animal house, biosecurity level-III facilities, glass houses and containment facilities. Through traditional genetic engineering NIGAB has developed GMOs of wheat, groundnut, potato and tomato against diseases, drought and salinity which await approval from regulatory body for commercial utilization at farm level. It has also exploited marker assisted selection for development of new varieties of crops for rust, salinity and drought tolerance. Through internal funding by PARC, there is an agreement reached to routinely host staff of NIGAB on international mobility, and there was also a discussion on Dr Ijaz becoming an official international advisor to NIGAB. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited Talk, Understanding microbial communities through in situ omics data synthesis, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh (c/o Professor Albert Tenesa, Head of Division of Quantitative Biology) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | An hour long invited talk with the title "Understanding microbial communities through in situ omics data synthesis" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Invited seminar at Tongji University, China |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Prof Joby Boxall gave an invited seminar at Tongji University on the 1st June 2024 entitled 'whats in(side) the pipeline' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Keynote Speaker and Co-Chair, 1st international symposium on "Applications of OMICS technologies in health and disease" (COMSATS University Islamabad & University of Glasgow) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This event received over 200 registered participants from 12 countries including UK, Germany, Italy, China, South Africa, Thailand, Portugal, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Tunisia and Pakistan https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sundus-javed-phd-27909867_join-us-at-the-1st-international-symposium-activity-7223226093363748864-FUdN?utm_source=li_share&utm_content=feedcontent&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=copy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation at H20ForALL Workshop 'Prevention measures and management of DBPs' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 15 minute oral presentation at H20ForALL Workshop 'Prevention measures and management of DBPs' to industry, academia and policy makers on 10th December 2024. Approximately 50 people joined online, with requests for further information regarding the To Chlorinate, or Not to Chlorinate project. Frances Slater was also asked to be a panel member on the panel discussion and Q and A session in the afternoon. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation at International Water Association (IWA) Biofilms Conference 2024, Shanghai |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 15 minute oral presentation at IWA Biofilms 2024, Shanghai to academia and industry on 24th-26th October 2024. Approximately 50-100 people watched this presentation, with requests for further information regarding the To Chlorinate, or Not to Chlorinate project. Dr. Frances Pick presented research on 'Residual-chlorine concentration impacts the ecology of biofilms in drinking water pipes and their water quality response'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation at Panton McLeod Water Quality Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 10 minute oral presentation at Panton McLeod Water Quality Conference to industry, academia and policy makers on 5th September 2024. Approximately 60 people joined in-person, with requests for further information regarding the To Chlorinate, or Not to Chlorinate project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation at WRc Disinfection Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 45 minute oral presentation at WRc Disinfection Forum to industry, academia and policy makers on 6th June 2024. Approximately 50 people joined online, with requests for further information regarding the To Chlorinate, or Not to Chlorinate project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation to DC Water 26 March 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Speight presented the ongoing research to one of the largest water utilities in the USA, DC Water which serves the Washington DC area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation to Fairfax Water 28 March 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Speight presented ongoing research to one of the largest water utilities in the USA, Fairfax Water which serves the northern Virginia communities in the metropolitan Washington DC area |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Recognised as an Engineering Role Model |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Nominated as an Engineering Role Model via the Royal Academy of Engineering Scheme. Katherine shared this via a short blog on LinkedIn showcasing the diversity of engineers and the incredible range of topics we work on, it received 1439 impressions and directly led to Katherine being invited to be on the Water Management Women in Water Panel and Deputy Editor of Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7263251151137992704/ |
| Description | Speaking to House of Lords Select Committee on the Built Environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Professor Joby Boxall was invited to speak to the House of Lord Select Committee on the Built Environment, private session on the 7th February 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk at RAEng Networking Event, UNBC, Prince George, Canada |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 50 participants, 6 panel members from (UNBC, Canada, UK, and Mexico) made up of the general public, UNBC staff, researchers and undergraduates, local authority and policy makers to discuss the need for decentralised water treatment in Canada and the UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www2.unbc.ca/events/75246/panel-and-networking-event-creating-decentralized-and-holistic-was... |
| Description | Talk at WWT 'Drinking Water Quality Conference' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Joby Boxall gave a talk on 'Using AI to unlock water company data to help manage discolouration and iron compliance' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Talk at WWT Water Quality conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joby Boxall gave a talk entitled 'To Chlrinate or Not to Chlorinate' at the WWT Water Qaulity Confernce on the 25th June 2024 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Talk to the the MOST-BMBF funded project MoDiCon (Germany / Israel) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Joby Boxall gave a talk on innovation in the water sector and drinking water quality |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | To Chlorinate Launch event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Project launch event, wide representation from across the water sector including practitioners, policy makers and regulators |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.tochlorinate.ac.uk/launch-event |
| Description | Visit from and presentations to OfWat |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hosted a visit from OfWat to talk about innovation and water quality, a series of presentations from University of Sheffield water research, tour of facilities and discussions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Water UK / Water Industry Forum 'The challenges of AMP8' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Joby Boxall gave a talk at a Water UK / WIF event on 'roadmap for the furture of water innovation' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |