Drinking water treatment resilience to chemical shortages

Students will benefit from being part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe), a world leading collaboration between three UK universities. The WIRe programme includes a bespoke training programme in technical and personal skills development, and provides opportunities for overseas travel and access to world leading experimental facilities (PhDs under this scheme are for a duration of four years full time). More details of the CDT WIRe at www.cdtwire.com

We are an inclusive and diverse doctoral centre and welcome applications from all highly motivated individuals, regardless of background, identity or disability.

A critical aspect of a resilient water supply is having enough chemicals for treatment in the right place at the right time. Recent events related to chemical shortages have highlighted that resilience needs to be improved to avoid the risk of water supply failure. Chemical distribution disruptions are predicted to continue in the short-term, with potential longer-term issues related to chemical access for drinking water treatment. Availability of other chemicals produced in-situ and heavily energy-dependent, such as ozone, may also be at risk due to increases in the cost of energy.  This research looks at delivering answers to questions derived from the potential threat of lack of chemicals to produce drinking water in the future:

-What alternative chemicals can be used to deliver safe drinking water?

-What is the resilience of conventional treatments to lack of chemical availability?

-Which alternative processes exist?

-Are there alternative ways to deliver and operate existing processes?

The aims of this project are therefore to investigate the potential for i)using alternative chemicals in drinking water treatment processes; ii)using new low-energy, chemical free processes; iii) operating existing treatment processes for alternative applications.

The project is an exciting collaboration between Cranfield University, Anglian Water and Thames Water (UK). This project will enable water companies to identify key strategies to operate water treatment under chemical availability stress.

The successful applicant will make use of the Drinking Water Pilot Plant facility at Cranfield University to translate the lab results to full-scale.

Additionally, as part of the CDT WIRe, students will benefit from an enhanced stipend of £19,000 per annum, undertake an international placement, and complete a bespoke training programme within a cohort of up to 15 students. 

At the end of the project the successful applicant will be very well positioned to have a highly successful career in the water sector or in an academic role. We will help you develop into a dynamic, confident and highly competent researcher with wider transferable skills (communication, project management and leadership) with an international network of colleagues.