Laboratory-Scale Investigations of Algal Toxin Removal by Water Treatment

The paper describes some water-treatment processes which have been investigated on a laboratory and pilot-plant scale for their effectiveness in removing toxic algal cells and the dissolved toxins microcystin-LR and anatoxin-a. Oxidation with ozone or potassium permanganate, or treatment by biological activated carbon, were found to be the most effective processes for removal of the dissolved toxins. Chlorination was effective only for the removal of microcystin-LR. Toxins, contained within algal cells, could be removed effectively by coagulation, clarification and filtration under suitable conditions. Consideration of the structure and properties of micro-cystin variants suggests that treatments which are suitable for removal of microcystin-LR and anatoxin-a should be suitable for removal of other microcystins.     

Strategic Resource Development Options in England and Wales

This paper describes the options which had to be considered for new water resources in the development of the † National Rivers Authority's water resource strategy for England and Wales. The options included interregional transfers, strategic reservoirs, and a range of unconventional schemes including aquifer recharge, effluent re-use, groundwater abstraction where levels are rising, desalination, and transfer by sea. The main options are described and comparative costs are presented.     

Upgrading the Activated-Sludge Process for Total Nitrogen Removal in Hong Kong

In order to protect the sensitive waters in Tolo harbour (Hong Kong), Sha Tin and Tai Po sewage-treatment works were first designed to remove 70% of the nitrogen load from the sewage. Since then, due to continuing serious eutrophication problems in the harbour, both plants have been modified to increase the removal efficiency to 90%.
The modifications were based on the Bardenpho process. However, the designers of the two plants adopted different approaches to process intensity, complexity and control of bacterial foam. At Sha Tin, the average monthly results have shown an increase of total nitrogen removal from 60–70% to about 80% since its completion. The addition of methanol was found to be ineffective on further enhancement of the denitrification rate due to difficulties in the apportioning of the second anoxic zone. The overall monthly results for Tai Po have also shown an increase in the removal rate to about 80%, even though 90% was achieved for a short period of time. The major problem encountered at the latter plant was that the process design did not provide an effective control on bacterial foaming, which had affected the smooth operation of the process.     

A FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO A UK WATER RESOURCE PROBLEM

Climate risk management is a new and evolving area and many decisions are likely to be affected by climate risks over the long-term. This paper presents a decision-making framework designed for managing climate alongside nonclimate risk factors. The framework describes a process that should help identify and manage these risks. It can be used to help decision-makers answer questions about whether adaptation is required, and, if so, which measures should be implemented. Adaptive management is recommended as a useful approach for dealing with climate and other uncertainties. This paper describes an application of the framework to a water resources case study. Feedback from training workshops based on four different case studies suggests the framework provides at minimum a useful (post-hoc) decision analysis tool. Potential users, who include planners, consultants and policy-makers have been largely positive about the prospective utility of the framework.     

Evaluation of the FEH Rainfall-Runoff Method for Catchments in the UK

The Flood Estimation Handbook, which was published in 1999, has substantially replaced the Flood Studies Report for design flood estimation in the UK. Although there are substantial differences between the handbook and the report, the philosophy of the rainfall-runoff method has been retained in the handbook. However, there are differences in the equations that have been used to estimate parameters of the rainfall-runoff method.
This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the Flood Estimation Handbook rainfall-runoff method for flood-frequency estimation, using data from eighty-eight catchments in the UK. The performance is evaluated by reference to the flood quantiles obtained from single-site frequency analysis, and comparison is made with the performance of the Flood Studies Report methodology. In general terms, the handbook over-estimates flood quantiles, with respect to (a) those estimated from observed records and (b) the report's quantiles. The paper explores the causes of these over-estimations and seeks linkages with particular catchment characteristics.     

National Rivers Authority National Strategy and Planning for the Future

The protracted drought from 1988 to 1992 has focused attention upon the availability of water sources in England and Wales. The drought was most severe in the east and south-east parts of England, which also coincides with the areas having (a) the least available water resources, (b) the greatest forecast increase in demand, and (c) the majority of low-flow problems due to excessive authorized abstraction. Even with increasing attention being paid to demand management, there is a need to develop further water-resource schemes. Once local options have been developed it is likely that inter-basin transfers will be required.     

The Hydraulic Analysis of Side-Channel Spillways as Reservoir Outlets

This paper presents a simple computer-based methodology for analyzing the hydraulics of side-channel spillways, and concentrates on the performance of the spillway when the overflow weir is subject to heavy submergence - as may be the case when passing extreme floods as stipulated by the Reservoirs Act 1975. Published data, which define the relationship between the degree of submergence of a weir and the reduction in the weir's coefficient of discharge, is used to match the water profile in the receiving channel with that of the induced distribution of flow over the weir. Results are compared with those obtained from scale physical models.     

The Impact and Sustainability of Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes in Developing Countries

Sound strategies for community water supply and sanitation programmes in developing countries should be based on (i) a clear understanding of the existing problems, (ii) the beneficial impacts achievable, and (iii) the factors which determine sustainability. The impacts of many water and sanitation programmes are limited, and many systems break down and are abandoned prematurely; only limited impacts are achievable in the short term without greatly increased investment. Sustainability, in the sense of continued delivery and uptake of services, is threatened by numerous attitudinal, institutional and economic factors, and community participation approaches alone are no guarantee of success. The key to sustainability is that all stakeholders involved in consumption/use, maintenance, cost recovery, and continuing support, perceive it in their best interests to deliver high-quality services.
This paper, based upon the authors' experiences in Africa and Asia, proposes new sets of programme aims and objectives in relation to impact and sustainability, which can be used in programme design, monitoring and evaluation. It also makes longer-term recommendations to external support agencies.     

Galvanic Corrosion of Lead Solder in Copper Pipework

The galvanic corrosion potentials of thirty-eight different waters were measured on site, using 'Oliphant' corrosion cells, for lead-tin solder coupled to copper. A wide range in corrosion potential was found, and the chloride-sulphate ratio had the most significant effect on corrosion potential. Tests to reduce corrosion potentials by dosing sulphate, silicate, zinc and orthophosphate were carried out. Zinc dosing, especially in combination with ortho-phosphate, was the most effective treatment for all waters, but posed problems.
Contamination of tapwater by galvanic corrosion of lead solder occurs early in the life of new plumbing, and risk of exposure to contamination can be reduced by flushing before drawing dietetic water. Best-of-all, lead-tin solder should not be used.