Understanding the impact of septicity on wastewater treatment

Transportation of sewage can lead to the development of septicity. This transforms the character of the sewage and can lead to the formation of odour and methane emissions. Unfortunately, the impact of septicity on wastewater characteristic and how such changes influence treatment efficacy are poorly understood.
Accordingly, this EngD studentship offers an exciting opportunity to explore a very common but massively under explored aspect of sewage treatment. The work will explore the transformations that occur and develop appropriate models of the changing character. The outcomes of this will be translated into impact on the efficacy of sewage treatment through a combination of laboratory testing, pilot plants, site testing and modelling. The work will be linked to analysis of TOTEX, life cycle analysis and robustness to establish the overall business case for implementation.

Widespread and substantive benefits from the STREAM programme have already accrued to a wide spectrum of stakeholders, many of whom are proactively engaged by the programme. Our outreach activities will be targeted to achieve three objectives: (i) maximise awareness and uptake of research sponsored through the Centre, (ii) promote public understanding of the water management challenges facing society and the science behind candidate solutions, and (iii) stimulate curiosity in water engineering careers. We will promote public consumption of science by providing updates on research work through the 'Streamline' initiative (see Pathways to Impact statement). Dissemination of research outputs and other achievements will be pursued through publication, presentation and promotion. A strong identity for the STREAM programme will be delivered through the project website (www.stream-idc.net).

Strong brand marketing for the STREAM EngD programme is guaranteed through our links with a broad range of sector stakeholders from the UK and beyond (see letters of support). A standardised set of informational material for the programme will be available for use by all partners. Particular attention will be given to raising awareness of the programme amongst SMEs and professionals / institutions outside the UK. We will extend our links with analogous water engineering research and training networks outside the UK to build on our recent success in establishing a funded link with the US 'Re-inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure' programme. We will also continue to play an active role in the Association of Engineering Doctorates and organise joint events with the like of British Water and the Institute of Water to ensure a national profile for the programme. Specific beneficiaries are listed below.

Water supply companies, consultancies, equipment manufacturers and sector SMEs will benefit from being able to leaverage funds to support research, inform the training curriculum, identify promising young engineers for future employment, and coordinate support for both research and training across the sector.

Universities and academic staff will realise significant efficiencies through higher gearing of student/staff ratios. They will also be presented with opportunities to develop new (interdisciplinary) research collaborations and strengthen their relationships with the water sector. A reliable supply of studentships will also provide an environment within which academics can pursue (either unilaterally or across universities) more involved programmes of research that a single studentship would be inappropriate for.

STREAM students are clearly the largest immediate benefactors of the programme. They will have access to a huge range of skills and knowledge across five globally leading academic centres and will develop their professional networks in tandem with their peers and future colleagues. They will benefit from a bespoke programme of activities focused on their career sector of choice and encounter a whole host of development opportunities.

The General Public (initially in the UK but in the longer term elsewhere) will draw advantage from the STREAM programme through the contributions made by STREAM graduates and their research to the effective and efficient operation of a reliable water and wastewater services. We are also providing opportunities for the public to directly engage with the scheme and hope that this will promote wider public understanding of water as a resource and the science and processes that underpin water treatment, distribution and management.

Research conducted under the auspices of the STREAM programme has already generated patentable outputs. Arrangements to exploit future opportunities will be the responsibility of the project host university and the project sponsoring company.