Testing the Water

The report addresses eight key chemical science challenges [see The Eight Key Challenges, below] and makes 57 recommendations to those with the authority to act.

Contaminants

One concerning issue is the emergence of new contaminants which have entered the water system after use by the wider population. These include the excretion of medicines and byproducts, and personal healthcare products such as musk perfumes. Currently wastewater treatment works are not designed to remove all these products, so some contaminants remain in the water sources.

The effects of such contaminants, how they are broken down and the properties of the breakdown products must be clearly understood. The report calls for a full investigation into the subject.

With a full understanding of the issues at hand, chemists will then be able to design chemicals that not only work well, but are also reusable, recyclable or degrade quickly in the environment at the end of their life. Research must continue into the design of products with minimal risk to human and environmental health.

Chemistry the green way

The report explains that the current water management system is unsustainable, and a holistic and integrated approach is required to meet the world's water needs. Fundamental questions must be answered and then acted on: how can we achieve more with less water? How do we move towards the sustainable use of water?

It calls for the wider adoption of the principles of green chemistry and pollution control in the chemicals manufacturing industry; reduction of waste, energy use and water use must be a priority. It also encourages the introduction of a universal statutory standard for sub-drinkable water in the UK, developing two grades of water supply to encourage grey water re-use.

Overall, the report says that the outlook is positive and that there is a great opportunity for green product design.

What happens next?

Jeff Hardy explains: "The campaign is only really beginning with the publication of this report. The next step will be to form expert working groups to consider these recommendations in detail and to agree a plan of action for achieving them. We will also be campaigning strongly to ensure the key messages are clearly explained to policy makers and to work with them to make sure that a sensible way forward is agreed."

The generosity of those involved is testimony of the importance of this issue, as recognised by those closest to the subject. "It is amazing to think that this priceless expertise has been given willingly and free of charge. I offer my sincere thanks to all of those who have been involved, it has been a genuine pleasure to work with all of them".

It is clear that the role of chemists will become even more important in recognising and predicting the potential issues, and in finding innovative solutions for the continual and improved provision of water worldwide