Call for interested contractors - The water chemistry of lead in plumbosolvency control

Published On 06/07/2018

New UKWIR project focused on advancing the water industry’s understanding of the chemistry that controls the solubility of lead, and the conditions which influence the efficacy of phosphate in plumbosolvency control: "How do we achieve 100% compliance with drinking water standards by 2050? Better understanding of the chemistry of the control of lead"

Much of the underlying work on lead compliance is based on an empirical understanding of the behaviour of lead compounds formed on the surface of pipes. This is the basis which the Industry uses to deploy high OPEX phosphate dosing and high CAPEX limited impact lead pipe replacement.

The industry is now driving for compliance at a lower standard - 10µg/l and the DWI have commented that they are ‘minded to support’ an even lower 5µg/l standard in the future.

This project will address key issues in order to meet the outcome “Ownership and responsibility for water quality is clear and all part their part in its protection”. It is hoped that this project will improve our understanding of the complex chemistry which underlies the control of lead solubility. Recent developments in analytical instrumentation open up a number of avenues to enhance the industry's understanding of the surface chemistry which facilitates compliance or causes failure.

For more information and to express interest in providing a quotation for this project, please click here.

CLOSING DATE 3 AUGUST 2018