Toxicology Research for the Water Industry

WRc's team at the National Centre for Environmental Toxicology (NCET) can provide toxicology expertise to the drinking water, freshwater and wastewater sectors.

Drinking water quality assurance

Our internationally respected team of scientific and regulatory experts has vast experience in evaluating drinking water quality for water companies and regulators. We provide a holistic and complete range of services to ensure absence of potentially harmful chemicals or micro-organisms. Our team can:

  • Carry out human health risk assessments for exposure to chemicals in different media (air, soil and water)
  • Determine permissible concentration levels of chemicals in water that do not pose a risk to human health through the derivation of health-based guideline values such as Suggested No Adverse Response Levels (SNARLs) for short and intermittent exposures to chemicals

Comprehensive water industry guidance

In addition to services surrounding drinking water, NCET provide toxicological advice and expert witness services to wastewater and freshwater sectors.

We help the wastewater sector by providing information on types and sources of chemicals in wastewater, and assessing their fate and behaviour during wastewater treatment. Our services also extend to assisting on discharge consent or permitting.

Our team aid in the assessment of environmental water quality in fresh, marine, and groundwater. This includes exposure and risk assessment, as well as evaluation of source, fate, and behaviour of chemicals in the environment.

Client-centered consultancy services

NCET's helpful and informative team deliver concise, easily-understood reports to educate, guide and explain clients' obligations.

Whenever, wherever you need us

NCET provide a 24/7 Toxicology on Demand service entrusted by leading water utility companies.

Providers of independent advice

Advising on your toxicology issues is always based on honesty and transparency.

Ensuring regulatory compliance

NCET interpret regulatory guidance on risk assessment requirements for our clients, minimising corporate risks associated with non-compliance.

Don't just take our word for it

See below for some examples of how NCET have advised government and regulatory bodies on contaminants in drinking water.

  • NDMA (nitrosamine)
  • Coliforms and E. coli
  • Ionated DBPs

Investigating the concentration, formation, and removal of NDMA (a nitrosamine which is potentially carcinogenic in humans and apparent during drinking water treatment processes). 

Through laboratory-based studies, NCET were able to suggest ways to (1) control the principal source of NDMA contamination (via the manufacturing of ferric contagulants), and (2) effectively remove NDMA via GAC adsorption.

Devising a systematic approach of the investigation and reporting of coliforms and E. coli occurrences in drinking water. 

NCET successfully implemented a framework to strengthen the robustness of water company Drinking Water Safety Plans, drawn from industry-wide experience.

Filling gaps in toxicological data regarding the effects of ionated disinfection by-products (DBP), iodine and bromine, in drinking water. 

Via review and identification, prediction, and high level toxicological risk assessment, NCET were able to advise on the use of chloramination in treatment processes, and suggested methods for future research.

Independent and trusted advisors

NCET is the UK's leading independent advisor on the risks posed to human health and to the environment by chemicals, micro-organisms and other naturally occurring and man-made substances.

NCET's services are heavily relied upon by regulators; we maintain all-hours toxicology advice to UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) and its membership, and support out-of-hours enquiries to the Environmental Agency (EA).

Get in touch via the contact form at the bottom of this page to enquire about our subscription service: Toxicology on Demand.

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Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019
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