New Research Theme Underway: New paper on Peat Filtration

There are many domestic treatment systems available but little real treatment data on existing systems carried out independently.    So our new research theme asks the question: How good are small-scale biological treatment systems?

Most studies on treatment systems have been done immediately post commissioning leading to over expectations of systems and generally poor performance evaluation which could result in long term environmental problems.

So just how well do these systems work?  The first paper in this series has just been published jointly with John Coady and there are 50 free downloads for the paper which became available online on September 3^rd 2014. Link:http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/4E8eHpEkAB7T2Wjz4UPW/full

The full reference is:

N.F. Gray and  J. Coady (2014): Evaluation of full-scale vertical peat biofilters for treatment of septic tank effluents, International Journal of Environmental Studies, DOI:  10.1080/00207233.2014.954819

Research ethics

An interesting article came to my notice the other day by David Resnick with the title What is ethics in research and why it is important?  One of the things that is popping up increasingly frequency in research applications is a section on ethics, so I was delighted to see this article.

David is a bioethicist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.   He gives a number of interesting case studies and tackles a number of thorny issues such as who should be included as an author on a research paper.   An entertaining and enlightening short article.  Access the article here. (Nick Gray)

Why I Pick up Litter

Some months ago in a blog post I mentioned that I try and take a plastic bag with me while river sampling and spend a few minutes before leaving picking up any litter. Link  A few people have commented about this and asked precisely why.  So here is why:

So all that litter on the road finds its way into ditches and streams eventually ending up in estuaries and  the sea.  So picking up litter really is a positive action, and next time you walk on the beach, take home some  of that rubbish that has been washed up.  Sir David Attenborough agrees:




For more information vist http://www.plasticoceans.net/

Nick Gray

Special Journal Edition: Drinking Water and Health



Three Potential Sources of Microfungi
in a Treated Municipal Water
Supply System in Sub-Tropical Australia.



A new special edition of papers dealing with a wide range of health issues of drinking water has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and edited by Professor Nick Gray.

The full reference and online access is:
Gray, N.F. (2012) (editor) Drinking Water and Health. A special issue of the  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8-9, (ISSN 1660-4601).
Link to papers:




List of papers:
• Maxine Burton, Emma Cobb, Peter Donachie, Gaby Judah, Val Curtis and Wolf-Peter Schmidt. Article: The Effect of Handwashing with Water or Soap on Bacterial Contamination of Hands. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8(1), 97-104; doi:10.3390/ijerph801009

• Virgínia M. Siqueira, Helena M. B. Oliveira, Cledir Santos, R. Russell M. Paterson, Norma B. Gusmão and Nelson Lima: Review: Filamentous Fungi in Drinking Water, Particularly in Relation to Biofilm Formation. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8(2), 456-469; doi:10.3390/ijerph8020456

• Zhihua Hu, Lois Wright Morton and Robert L. Mahler. Article: Bottled Water: United States Consumers and Their Perceptions of Water Quality. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8(2), 565-578; doi:10.3390/ijerph8020565

• Noel B. Sammon, Keith M. Harrower, Larelle D. Fabbro and Rob H. Reed. Article: Three Potential Sources of Microfungi in a Treated Municipal Water Supply System in Sub-Tropical Australia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8(3), 713-732; doi:10.3390/ijerph8030713

• Mark Ibekwe, Shelton E. Murinda and Alexandria K. Graves. Article: Microbiological Evaluation of Water Quality from Urban Watersheds for Domestic Water Supply Improvement. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8(12), 4460-4476; doi:10.3390/ijerph8124460

• Jocelyne K. Mwabi, Bhekie B. Mamba and Maggy N. B. Momba. Article: Removal of Escherichia coli and Faecal Coliforms from Surface Water and Groundwater by Household Water Treatment Devices/Systems: A Sustainable Solution for Improving Water Quality in Rural Communities of the Southern African Development Community Region. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(1), 139-170; doi:10.3390/ijerph9010139

• Kyle Onda, Joe LoBuglio and Jamie Bartram. Article: Global Access to Safe Water: Accounting for Water Quality and the Resulting Impact on MDG Progress. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(3), 880-894; doi:10.3390/ijerph9030880

• Jason Roberge, Mary Kay O’Rourke, Maria Mercedes Meza-Montenegro, Luis Enrique Gutiérrez-Millán, Jefferey L. Burgess and Robin B. Harris. Article: Binational Arsenic Exposure Survey: Methodology and Estimated Arsenic Intake from Drinking Water and Urinary Arsenic Concentrations. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(4), 1051-1067; doi:10.3390/ijerph9041051

• Robert Bain, Jamie Bartram, Mark Elliott, Robert Matthews, Lanakila McMahan, Rosalind Tung, Patty Chuang and Stephen Gundry. Article: A Summary Catalogue of Microbial Drinking Water Tests for Low and Medium Resource Settings. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(5), 1609-1625; doi:10.3390/ijerph9051609

• Jyotsna S. Jagai, Jeffrey K. Griffiths, Paul K. Kirshen, Patrick Webb and Elena N. Naumova. Article: Seasonal Patterns of Gastrointestinal Illness and Streamflow along the Ohio River. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(5), 1771-1790; doi:10.3390/ijerph9051771

• Catherine D. Luyt, Roman Tandlich, Wilhelmine J. Muller and Brendan S. Wilhelmi. Review: Microbial Monitoring of Surface Water in South Africa: An Overview. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(8), 2669-2693; doi:10.3390/ijerph9082669

• Piergiorgio Bolasco, Antonio Contu, Patrizia Meloni, Dorio Vacca and Andrea Galfrè. Article: Microbiological Surveillance and State of the Art Technological Strategies for the Prevention of Dialysis Water Pollution. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(8), 2758-2771; doi:10.3390/ijerph9082758

September edition of Science Spin now available

The latest edition of Science Spin, Ireland’s own science magazine edited by Tom Kennedy doesn’t have anything specific on water this issue but is well worth a look anyhow.  There is a very interesting article by Tom looking at the levels of metal contamination in Dublin soils, with As, Pb and Hg all showing surprising high concentrations in the topsoil.  This is quite surpsing given the relatively low level of industrialization. The digital version is available via this link.

Septic tank charges and community advisory groups

A letter dropped through my letter box yesterday from Wicklow Council inviting me to register my household wastewater treatment system (if I have one) before February 1st, 2013. By last Friday only 2,500 households had registered their septic tanks. This is a huge disappointment to the Irish Government who had hoped that their €5 early registration fee incentive for early, set to end on the 28th of this month when the normal fee of €50 euro will come into force, would see the majority of systems registered. According to the CSO there are 497,281 septic tanks and household treatment units in the country, but this is probably a huge underestimation when holiday homes and more isolated dwellings are taken into account. Rural people are very concerned that the follow up inspections will force them into huge investments, with the added worry of unscrupulous individuals selling unnecessary upgrades and package systems to the unsuspecting owners, especially elderly who are most vulnerable in rural areas. My advice is to get registered now at the reduced rate and save yourself €45 as it is inevitable that all tanks will eventually be traced through ESB connections etc. The best approach to the inspections is to form community advisory groups to follow up on inspection reports and to help locals get the best advice and price on upgrades where necessary

Septic Tank Inspections Start in Six Months Time

Inspections of septic tanks and small household systems will commence in February 2013. The performance standards, essentially that they do not cause a risk to human health or the environment, are explained in the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012. (Link). For the first time regulations have been set for the operation and maintenance of systems including frequency of de-sludging.

There will be some complex issues arising, one will be odours. The problem is that if the tank is properly vented then odours will be released either at the tank level or at the sewer vent at the roof top…so odour generation becomes a complex issue of wind direction, speed and temperature. The crust formation on the tank does reduce odours but with more frequent desludging and less scum developing due to greater detergent use and less use of heavy fats and oils…then crust formation is slower to form and less developed leading to odour release. To quote from the department of the Environment webpage: ‘There is no question of imposing modern standards, for example those set out in the EPA’s 2009 Code of Practice, to older systems. Nor is there any question of householders having to acquire additional land to facilitate remediation work. Where an on-site system fails an inspection, the remediation work required will be based on factors such as the nature of the problem, the extent of risk to public health or the environment, existing site size and the hydrological and geological conditions present’.

Septic Tank Registration Underway

At last it appears that hosueholders are now able to regitsre their septic tanks and household treatment systems which is a requirement under the The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. As we are repeatedly told that this is being done to address the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in October 2009. Of course it is also a sensible provision to protect public health and the environment.
Registration is covered by Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012 and can be done online via the Protect Our Water website.  Alternatively applications can be made by post using forms available from public libraries and local authorities.

As an incentive the normal registration fee of €50 will be set at €5 until 28 September 2012. Registration must be completed on or before 1 February 2013. There will be no separate inspection charge.

Continuing Rainfall Impacting on Wildlife

I remember quite vividly in May of this year the gentleman from the Environment Agency in the UK stating that it would have to rain every day this summer for water resources to return to normal. Well records apart it has rained every day this summer and yes indeed water resources are looking fairly good. In fact there is water coming from springs I never knew existed where I live. But the rainfall has led to quite extraordinary conditions for wildlife from butterflies to badgers.

Ground nesting birds and wildfowl have been particularly hard hit, especially in and along the River Shannon, Ireland’s largest river, with many of the numerous small islands now under water. Kathryn Finney from Birdwatch Ireland has a fascinating blog and has been recording the problems due to this exceptionally wet summer and has some excellent images of the problems being caused by the high water levels.

PAlaeontological STatistics - Update

Many of you will know how much I like the statistical package PAST (PAlaeontological STatistics ) devised by Øyvind Hammer at the Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo. This is a free software package that can be downloaded from the Internet and Øyvind is remarkable in that the package is continuously updated and refined. The latest version (2.16) can be downloaded at http://folk.uio.no/ohammer/past
Among the latest additions are: Box-Cox transformation with max likelihood estimation of lambda; Anderson-Darling normality test; Nearest neighbor point analysis: Plotting of distance histogram vs. expected distribution; Hangle (outline shape analysis) now includes 'Htree' fitting; Coefficient of variation: Now with bootstrapped confidence intervals; Similarity indices: Added Mixed (as available in other modules); Rarefaction: Labels added for multiple-sample plot; User controllable range of color maps, new color maps; User controllable number of lines in spline deformation grids; Bubble plot: Option for 95% confidence ellipses; Rarefaction: Option to not show standard deviations; Improvement on number of decimals in graph axes.

Activated Sludge Foaming - New Publication

PhD student Martin Fryer and Professor Nick Gray of the Water Technology Research Group, based in the Centre for the Environment have published a new and precise method for estimating foam development in full scale aeration tanks in wastewater treatment plants. Foaming is a major problem in the operation of activated sludge treatment which is a biological process that treats 90% of wastewater in the developed world. The new methodology opens up the possibility of better foam prediction allowing more time for operators to prevent problematic foam occurring; as well as now being able to measure the effect of remedial action. The foaming Scum Index (FSI) has been presented in the latest issue of the Journal of Environmental Management.



Fryer, M. and Gray, N.F. (2012) Foaming Scum Index (FSI) – A new tool for the assessment and characterization of biological mediated activated sludge foams. Journal of Environmental Management , 110, 8-19. Doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.05.009

Institution of Civil Engineers publish State of the Nation Water Report

Civil engineers are by nature a conservative bunch but in the ICE State of the Nation Water Report published this week they pull no punches. They describe a situation not unlike that in Ireland where the severity and urgency of the nation’s water problems are still not properly understood. They rate the current water security situation in the UK as level 4 on a 1-10 scale, which would be slightly better than Ireland which in some regions is higher. The report offers many possible solutions including the development of new water storage facilities, the removal of regulatory barriers that discourage water sharing between neighbouring companies and collaborative investment in new infrastructure. Among the issues that come as no surprise to us here in Ireland is the recommendation for the phased introduction of phased of universal metering, but with social tariffs to protect the poorest in society.

The grim fact is that if positive action is not taken quickly then water security in the UK could reach level 8 or 9 by 2025. Download a copy of the report at www.ice.org.uk/sonwater2012.

Singapore International Water Week

The fifth Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) will take place on 1-5 July, 2012 with a Water Convention theme of Water Solutions for Living and Sustainable Cities. SIWW is described as a global platform for sharing and co-creation of innovative water solutions, and this year’s theme is looking at the challenges placed on the water sector by climate change and in particular how sustainable water management strategies can be integrated into urban planning.

This year the Lee Kuan Water Prize has been awarded to Professor Mark van Loosdrecht of Delft University of Technology for his work on the development of the Anammox Process.



Over 13,000 people from 99 countries attended last year’s main event and attendance is expected to be well in excess of this for the forthcoming event. Well worth checking out. Link

Today is Earth Day- April 22nd

Since the launch of the first Earth Day in the US on April 22nd 1970, tens of millions of people have taken part in global based activities…raising environmental awareness. Last year in excess of 1 billion people participated in Earth Day activities making it the largest civic observance in the world. Link

Irish Water will become a subsidiary of Bord Gáis

The Government announced today that the new State water authority Irish Water will become a subsidiary of Bord Gáis (The State owned Irish Gas Company). The formation of a new State Water Authority is to be welcomed as it will for the first time facilitate the provision of water, sewerage and wastewater to be operated holistically. It may also allow Irish Consumers, for the first time, to have the same rights as water consumers in other countries and a proper route for the handling of complaints about water quality, something that is currently lacking in Ireland. On the whole the County Councils and Local Authorities have done an amazing job over the years and to some extent it is sad to see this come to an end. However, the senior management in County Councils didn’t rise to the challenge and have now lost one of their key roles.

In some areas local authorities have failed to react to the real needs of consumers and the poor provision in some areas, often linked with poor planning decisions, has left us with complex supply and sewage treatment problems. However, hidden away in water and wastewater treatment plants around the country we have a wealth of fantastic technical and operational personnel with extensive expertise, which I hope will now be allowed to play a more central role in the operation and management of our water services.

We must be very careful to remember that in all the hype about charges there are real public health issues at the core of this change as well as the environmental issues. Personally I would have preferred to have seen a standalone Water Authority similar to those in the UK prior to privatization based on regional areas where staff, equipment and expertise could be shared. Ireland is small enough to have based these on our existing River Basin Districts and to have had the catchment management functions associated with River Basin Management Plans also come under their auspices. Apart from knowing how to collect revenue and lay pipes, I am at a loss to know what Bord Gáis can bring to this critically important and technically very different industry.

The water industry represents a massive and continuous investment by the tax payer for over a century and it should not be allowed to be asset stripped by the private sector, although it is unlikely that with its small size, dispersed population and the complex arrangement with Group Water Schemes that it will prove to be an attractive investment for some time to come. I wish Water Ireland well, but hope that it creates a sustainable water infrastructure for the future and prosperity of Ireland.

Confusion Reigns Over Septic Tank Registration

County Councils throughout Ireland have been inundated with enquiries relating to how to register their home wastewater treatment systems. The best they have been able to do is to redirect enquiries to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The situation has become quite confused and much of the good will that was out there appears to be evaporating very quickly. The Government needs to clearly set out a proper timescale and mechanism for registration so that those who have septic tank and home treatment systems know what to do.  

The environ.ie website has some good advice to householders, which will form part of the new standards, that will help them prepare for inspections that are due to begin in 2013:

• Know where your tank is located;
• Visually examine your tank every year;
• Ensure only domestic waste water is treated in your tank;
• Ensure your tank only discharges from those points for which it was designed to discharge from;
• Ensure the effluent is not discharged to or does not rise to the surface of the ground;
• Ensure your tank is not discharging into streams/ditches;
• Desludge your tank when necessary, using an authorised waste collector;
• Ensure that your tank is not polluting and operation and maintenance is in compliance with the manufacturer’s manual, as appropriate.

More information at link.

Water Meters...A Holistic Approach to Water Conservation



Copyright Plymouth Water

 Quite of few people have been asking for my opinion on the introduction of water meters in Ireland. To be quite honest I am not generally in favour of universal metering simply because of the cost. I would favour a temporary flat rate charge in areas where supplies are not at a critical level, but the introduction of meters in areas where alternative supply side investment is being planned, such as Dublin. However, I feel that the introduction of meters as planned is very crude and that a more integrated approach is needed for water conservation.  A more ambitious plan, which would secure our water supplies for at least the next fifty years, would be to include the householder more directly in this process. I would like to see every household have their supply pipe checked when the meter is installed for leaks, that it is not lead and that the electricity system is not earthed via the pipe. Also, every householder should be given the option to have all their taps and shower heads, and possibly also their toilets replaced with conservation low-flow units at a discounted rate to ensure maximum conservation of water. This installation of meters and household upgrades should be carried out by registered plumbers trained for this task. I would also subsequently like to see all households given the option to buy into some form of service arrangement so that they can have their household system checked regularly for leaks and repaired where necessary for a small annual fee. This would make water conservation savings well in excess of 40% possible as well as ensuring higher quality water. We need to tackle the lead issue, promote the sensible use of water and to reduce leakage on the supply side of the service pipe.

New Paper on Co-treatment of Acid Mine Drainage with Domestic Wastewater

In a new paper published by Theresa Hughes of the Water Technology Research Group the concept of treating acid mine drainage with conventional domestic wastewater using activated sludge has been shown to be a viable option. Using a synthetic drainage toxicity tests showed that activated sludge can withstand high proportions of AMD (EC50 19–52% AMD by volume). Laboratory-based sequencing batch reactors were also used to examine the treatability of AMD. Results from OUR inhibition tests on acclimatized activated sludge indicated that over a relatively short timescale (21 days), the activated sludge microbial community can adapt to AMD sufficiently so that shock loads of metals and acidity do not significantly inhibit OUR.
Theresa A. Hughes and N. F. Gray (2012) Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Acid Mine Drainage to the Activated Sludge Process. Mine Water and Environment, 31, 40–52 (DOI 10.1007/s10230-011-0168-y) Link

National Ground Water Awareness Week

With all the attention Irish groundwater has been given over the years by the EPA here in Ireland, and it’s protection being cited as the major driver behind the introduction of septic registration and monitoring; it is surprising that we haven’t adopted the scheme run by the USEPA and organized a Ground Water Awareness Week. Forty-four percent of America's population regularly depends on ground water for its drinking water supply with in excess of 90 % of all public drinking water systems relying on ground water resources. So public awareness and participation in its protection is very important. The USEPA have set up a dedicated site for the event with loads of interesting downloads and activities. I particularly liked the Citizen's Guide to Ground Water Protection which describes how everyone can help to protect supplies and how to build your own aquifer in a cup. Check it out!   Link

National Ground Water Awareness Week runs from  March 11 to 17

Water Restrictions Could Spread to Ireland

Shower timers can be tradtional egg timer
design or digital alarm systems

I am feeling rather depressed at not being issued with a waterproof four- minute egg timer for use in my shower as a simple tool to conserve water.  These are being issued throughout south-east England in an attempt to conserve supplies. South East and Anglia Water areas are especially at risk as are the midlands, including Birmingham.  However, with hosepipe bans inevitable, it appears that we are heading for a very dry year…as dry as 1975 which I remember very well.  It was the first and only time I have seen lawns and agricultural grassland simply wither and die.  Ireland may also be facing a similar situation this summer and as supplies are always at a critical level in the East, especially in the Greater Dublin area, it is perhaps time to seriously consider conservation measures and issuing waterproof egg timers here as well.