Healthier rivers will be one outcome of implementation of the Environment Act 21, writes Darren Hanson, director of environmental solutions, Xylem. Now water companies need to concentrate efforts on ensuring a smooth rollout of monitoring technology.
The deadline is approaching for water companies to have in place monitoring requirements of the Environment Act 21. Part 5 Section 82 states utilities must continuously monitor water quality upstream and downstream of all storm overflow and sewage disposal works, which discharge into a watercourse. This requirement will be mandatory from April 2025
The new monitoring requirements will help utilities understand the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on the environment, including whether individual spills are mostly diluted by rainwater or pose a risk of pollution – and learn more about problem areas and where targeted investment is needed. Captured data can also support wider water management strategies and collaboration with stakeholders in the national effort to restore river quality.
To ensure the 2025 monitoring commitments are delivered, companies should now be taking the following steps:
Early monitor installation programmes already underway are shining a light on issues that may not have been considered:
Data confidence
Water companies need confidence the data they are receiving is accurate, repeatable and traceable. This is in part achieved byselecting technology appropriate for the local water environment. What are the local fouling conditions, for example? If an individual sonde becomes covered with mud or algae, it may trigger a false water quality alert. Robust, anti–fouling technology, such as mechanical wipers, can prevent such data-uncertainty, as can ensuring sondes are calibrated for the conditions in which they are being used.
Invasive species strategy
As sensors move from one river to the next, there is a risk of invasive species transfer. Having a strategy around invasive species, including selecting instruments that can be cleaned before being calibrated, can help manage risk.
Data-as-a-service
More companies are now looking to data-as-a-service (DaaS) models to support with large-scale water quality monitoring. Applying DaaS can move responsibility for the design, installation, data, telemetry, calibration and maintenance to the manufacturer. HydroDaaS is Xylem’s DaaS system for river water quality monitoring and can support companies that may not have the infrastructure in place to manage a large network of sensors.
Water quality monitoring provides one piece of the jigsaw. By combining this data with previously disparate datasets into a single platform, such as the Xylem Vue Powered by GoAigua (XVPGA) platform, a more holistic view at the catchment level can be attained.
Not only can this information help utilities identify failures within the catchment that lead to spills, it can provide insights that allow preventative action to be undertaken. Using digital platforms in this way enables utilities to optimise operations and make maximum use of existing infrastructure as part of a wider strategy to reduce environmental impact.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Environment Act 21 monitoring programme will eventually provide a national baseline of water quality information that England has never seen before. Its implementation is a major task, but the large-scale data capture soon to be underway will allow the water sector to digitise river catchments to provide a cleaner and heathier environment for all.
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving the world’s critical water, wastewater, and water-related challenges with innovation and expertise. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $8.1 billion in 2023. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.