The Water Science Forum (WSF) is one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's many Interest Groups. The Interest Groups are member driven groups which exist to benefit RSC members, and the wider chemical science community, in line with the RSC's strategy and charter.
Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) provides access to a wide range of benefits and services which assist in career development plus offering professional and everyday financial savings. The Water Science Forum (WSF) is one of the most active of the RSC’s special interest groups. It focuses on the application of the chemical sciences to management of the water cycle and the impact of these activities on the natural environment. The WSF supports methods which promote efficient use of water resources including techniques for recycling/reuse and resource recovery. It has a diverse membership drawn from the water industry, consultancies, academia and regulatory bodies among others.
Scope
The WSF focuses on the application of chemical sciences in the management of the water cycle and the impact of these activities on the natural environment. WSF attracts members, and thus expertise, from many sectors within the water community.
Aims
To promote the professional and scientific interests of members and to advise on and influence, in the public interest, the application of chemistry in water-related industries. The WSF also aims to promote research, education and specialised training in all aspects of water-related chemistry, including relevant chartered status for members.
Objectives
- To keep members up-to-date with current developments within the water sector and to promote Continuous Professional Development.
- To provide a forum for the debate of professional and scientific matters on water-related issues within the RSC and other relevant organisations.
- To provide specialist technical advice on water-related issues to the RSC and to assist the RSC in presenting a corporate view to national and local government on matter of interest to WSF members.
- To promote research, education and specialised training in all aspects of water-related chemistry, including relevant chartered status for members.
Activities
- Organising topical meetings and conferences.
- Providing financial assistance to encourage professional development.
- Contributing to consultation documents from the UK and EU.
Our awards
Our Water Science Forum offers a limited number of awards each year to post-graduate-level students or professional water scientists to help support their early career development or when returning to scientific work after a break.
See our awards:
Water For Life Award
Alan Tetlow Memorial Award
Water Science award
Benefits of Membership
- Keeps members up-to-date with current developments within the water sector and promotes Continuous Professional Development
- Provides a forum for the debate of professional and scientific matters on water related issues within the RSC and other relevant organisations
- Provides specialist technical advice on water related issues to the RSC and to assist the RSC in presenting a corporate view to national and local government on matters of interest to WSF members
Water for Life
The Water Science Forum has adopted WaterAid as its preferred charity.
WaterAid is a charity that works with some of the poorest communities in Africa and Asia providing a better quality of life through water, sanitation and hygiene education projects.
Many women and children in developing countries spend hours each day walking kilometres to collect water. This water is often dirty but they have no alternative. Carrying heavy water containers is an exhausting task, taking valuable time and energy. It prevents women from doing vital domestic or income generating work and stops children from going to school.
WaterAid believes that water, sanitation and hygiene education provide the key to poverty reduction. By focusing on projects that combine these three elements, health benefits are maximised and the results are long lasting and wide reaching.
WaterAid works with local partners to help some of the poorest communities in Africa and Asia plan, manage and maintain their own safe water supplies, sanitation facilities and promotes good hygiene practices. With these benefits communities are in a better position to work themselves out of poverty.
Through raising funds and awareness in the UK, WaterAid works closely with many different groups such as schools, churches and service groups and associates. WaterAid also receives a great deal of support from members of the public who give regular donations through direct debit. As little as £2 a month can give a person safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.
If you would like to get involved or would like more information please visit their web site or Tel: +44 (0) 20 7793 4500
How to Join
RSC members can join the Water Science Forum by updating their details in the “My communities and subscriptions” tab of the online RSC membership area. Please click here to login and add to your list of Interest Groups.
Quick links
Forthcoming events
Forthcoming events organised by the Water Science Forum.
Contact the Secretary
For further information on the Water Science Forum you can contact the Secretary, Dr Ian Barnabas CSci CChem FRSC.
Support for interest groups
Useful information and resources for all RSC interest groups.
Also of Interest
European Commission Newsletter on Water Frame Work directive issues
The WISE Newsletter is the bulletin of information of the Water & Marine unit of the Environment General-Directorate of the European Commission and it is published twice a year. Here you will find the latest edition
Committee
We are always keen to recruit new personnel to the Committee. All Water Science Forum members are eligible. Vacancies usually arise at the end of each year and elections are held if necessary. The Water Science Forum fully support the Royal Society of Chemistry's policies regarding equality and diversity.
If you wish to be considered for election to membership of the WSF Committee please contact the Hon. Secretary who will advise you accordingly.
Chair
Dr. Glynn Skerratt CChem FRSC
Glynn is a Chartered Chemist, a Chartered Environmentalist, a Chartered Water and Environment Manager, a Chartered Scientist and an Associate Tutor with MLA College/University of Plymouth.
An educator teaching BSc and MSc-level water, waste and business-related sustainability topics, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the Higher Education Academy and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). He is also associated with several organisations helping to deliver the UN SDGs - particularly SDG6. He is a WELL Water Advisor with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and a member of the WELL Faculty.
Specialising in sustainability issues, water/wastewater treatment technologies and environmental management, he has wide experience of distance and on-campus learning, teaching and assessment, training, consultancy, applied research and management.
He has been an elected member of the RSC Professional Standards Board, an elected Council Member of the RSC Energy, Sustainability and Environment Community, a member of the RSC Nominations Committee and the Secretary of the RSC Environmental Chemistry Group.
He has undertaken professional body licence reviews for both the Science Council and the Society for the Environment and is a past member of the Science Council Registration Authority. He has also been a NEBOSH examiner for their environmental assessments. He wrote and delivered all of The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management's online technical training for more than six years.
He also works as an Associate with Energy & Utility Skills, auditing UK water company Competent Operator Schemes and, somewhat remarkably, continues to be an occasional expert project evaluator for the European Commission Horizon Programme. He has also been an External Examiner at the Universities of Hull, Southampton Solent and Derby, and a professional reviewer and university award accreditor for CIWEM.
Before working in academe as a tutor and Reader in Environmental Management and sustainability, Dr. Skerratt spent fifteen years gaining practical scientific and managerial experience in the UK water industry – managing wastewater treatment works and laboratories and analysing & regulating industrial effluent discharges.
Secretary
Dr Ian Barnabas CSci CChem FRSC
Ian is the Head of Laboratories and Sampling for Northumbrian Water Group and has over 25 years experience in the environmental testing industry. Following completion of his Doctorate in environmental organic analysis, he worked as an analytical chemist in both clean water and environmental labs focusing on the analysis of trace organics before moving into various operational roles within Northumbrian Water. Ian has many years of experience participating in various groups including ISO and CEN committees and the Standing Committee of Analysts in the UK, focusing on chemical analysis where he is always keen to share and promote new ideas.
Contact the secretary