UWB Crest

School of Chemistry

Watersafe

A Project funded under the EC’s PASR 2006

mage of a streamA new EU funded project into the security of water distribution networks has been announced.  Bangor University is the only academic partner in this consortium and is represented by the electrochemistry and sensors group led by Professor Maher Kalaji.

Project Summary

The project will harness breakthrough nanotechnologies in sensing and detoxification to protect European citizens against contamination of networked drinking water systems from either terrorist/criminal attack or accidental spillage. The aim is to give maximum protection by developing on-line systems that can be widely deployed for “early warning” and detoxification, which are not available today. New sensing and detoxification methods with tenfold improvement in efficiency will be integrated into combined systems that are intelligent, sensitive, flexible, compact and inexpensive, making them suitable for installation at vulnerable points in water systems. The project joins 4 SME with research groups and a major water company that is responsible for providing water for Brussels, federal and regional governments, NATO, the National Airport, and the EU offices. The project will provide advanced technology to give European companies, many of them SMEs, competitive advantages in growing strategic world markets.

Overall approach:

  • Detection: comprehensive on-line sensing; intelligent supervisory control & data acquisition; instant warning signal in response to significant deviations from the norm.
  • Response: immediate isolation of the contaminated volume to protect the public; initiation of detoxification methods based on novel high performance technologies that are integrated with the sensing system for operation at the point of detection.

Image of a streamObjectives

  • Assure the security of the populace by integrated detection and detoxification of contaminants added to drinking water distribution systems through terrorist action,  sabotage, and accidental occurrences such as industrial chemical spills or other incidents
  • On-line detection of contaminants in drinking water to provide an emergency alert signal at the earliest possible time, therefore preventing distribution to the public
  • Initiation of prompt remedial action, either through an immediate automatic response or mobile treatment unit
  • Implementation of the systems at potentially vulnerable points in water distribution systems, in particular local piped distribution systems, water tanks, water towers, and water treatment facilities 
  • Integration of a detection and response capability, incorporating new monitoring and detoxification technologies
  • Integration of improved data analysis from existing basic on-line monitoring systems (e.g. pH, conductivity) and other developed technology

Partners

C-Tech Innovation Ltd

Commissariat à L’Ėnergie Atomique

Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH

Bangor University

UC Technologies B.V.         

PW Circuits Ltd.

Vivaqua 

Delta-Umwelt-Technik GmbH