Anna Staples and Jenni Hughes, Strategic Programme Managers at UKWIR, outline the key priorities that decision-makers need to focus on to tackle PFAS in the UK and Ireland
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent one of the most complex, multi-faceted challenges facing the water sector today due to their extreme environmental persistence and resistance to conventional treatment. Rigorous scientific research can identify and quantify impacts and potential impacts on human and environmental health, and it can contribute to our water company members’ ability to take decisive, evidence-led action on these substances.
As the UK and Ireland’s provider of impartial water sector science, UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) is actively spearheading research to understand PFAS risks, identify effective ways to prevent such substances from entering the water cycle in the first place, and evaluate advanced destruction technologies. The Innovation Platform spoke to Anna Staples and Jenni Hughes, Strategic Programme Managers at UKWIR, to find out more about the organisation’s work.
What are the key objectives of UKWIR’s work in the area of PFAS?
We are committed to finding proactive solutions that protect public health and the environment while supporting the industry’s net-zero transition.
UKWIR’s PFAS research is aimed at delivering practical, science-based outcomes for the water sector.
Our initial research phase focused on equipping the UK and Irish water industry with a better understanding of PFAS by clarifying which substances raise the greatest concern, identifying existing regulatory frameworks for tackling them, and anticipating future changes to regulation. It also identified sources for PFAS entering water supply and wastewater systems, and evaluated the most effective treatment options, as well as estimating capital, operating, and carbon emission costs for each option.
Through the four phases of UKWIR’s Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP), English and Welsh water companies have undertaken data collection and monitoring to understand PFAS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations in the influent and effluent at wastewater treatment works, along with the concentrations in the sewerage networks; providing baseline data and trend monitoring. Through CIP, we are also looking at the effectiveness of potential treatment technologies for the removal of emerging substances, including PFAS.
Who does UKWIR collaborate with to enhance knowledge of the PFAS issue and strengthen measures towards tackling the challenge?
UKWIR collaborates widely across the water industry, with global academic and research organisations, regulators, environmental NGOs, and the supplier community. Most importantly, we provide a collaborative space within our project steering groups for water company representatives to share knowledge and drive the research that furthers our members’ understanding of PFAS.
Recently, UKWIR co-funded research undertaken by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, including bench-scale and pilot testing, to investigate the efficacy of a range of treatment processes for removing PFAS in drinking water.
Meanwhile, through CIP, UKWIR and the water industry collaborate with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales on research that includes co-investigating PFAS sources and pathways as part of the latest iteration of the programme – CIP4. Reflecting our drive for transparency and a commitment to insight-sharing, the data collected through CIP is available via our website.
PFAS is a global issue and requires action and close relationships with partners outside of the UK and Ireland, if it is to be successfully managed. UKWIR is a member of the Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC), which means we collaborate internationally on research and working groups.
Based on your research, what do you think the key priorities need to be for policymakers in order to reduce the PFAS problem in the UK moving forward?
UKWIR’s role is to provide the evidence and data required to enable policymakers. From what we see in our work, and that of others, it points to four interconnected priorities needed to tackle PFAS effectively and sustainably:
- Prioritise integrated source control: Water and wastewater utilities act as conduits for PFAS, not the creators. End-of-pipe destruction alone is energy-intensive and costly. Policy must emphasise upstream restrictions to stop PFAS from entering the water cycle in the first place.
- Align policy, science, and innovation: Regulatory frameworks must give water companies the clarity and long-term confidence needed to invest in versatile, next-generation treatment upgrades capable of tackling multiple emerging contaminants simultaneously.
- Implement ’polluter pays’ principle: Policymakers must balance technical feasibility with affordability for water customers. Enforcing the ’polluter pays’ principle will be essential to ensure financial responsibility rests with chemical producers who are discharging to the environment, rather than billpayers.
- Cross-sector collaboration: Creating joint working frameworks across agriculture, manufacturing, chemical regulation, and water management will ensure holistic, long-term environmental protection.
About the authors
Anna Staples is a Strategic Programme Manager at UKWIR.
Anna started her career in academic research before joining Anglian Water where she worked for 16 years, first as a drinking water quality scientist, and then as a project manager delivering projects across many areas of the water business stream.
Anna joined UKWIR in March 2024, where her role is to manage the Drinking Water, Carbon Reduction and Circular Economy programmes.
She is a chartered scientist and holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Bristol.
Jenni Hughes is a Strategic Programme Manager at UKWIR.
Jenni started her career at Thames Water in 2012, joining on the Operations Graduate Programme. She delivered Thames Water’s Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP) from 2014 and supported many of UKWIR’s projects related to chemicals and plastics.
Jenni joined UKWIR in 2023, where her role is to manage the Wastewater and Sewerage Programmes and several Tailored Collaborative Research Projects, including CIP.
She holds a Master’s in Environmental Science and Technology from Lancaster University.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 28th edition of our quarterly publication.
