CREW Spring 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to our new quarterly CREW newsletter, CREW NEWS!
In this spring edition we’re reminding you of our current calls for proposals, highlighting completed projects and feeding back from our project evaluation forms. As it’s our first edition we’ve also included a refresher on ‘who we are and what we do’ and there’s a letter from our comms officer detailing some favourite moments from her first year in post.
We’d love to hear what you’d be interested in reading in future issues of CREW NEWS.
CRW2024_04 Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning: Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment
Title: Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning: Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c. 9-month capacity building project to conduct an evidence synthesis to assess the current state of knowledge of how investments in protecting and improving natural capital influence the state of the water environment. The synthesis will also explore the wider benefits these investments provide for nature, climate adaptation, public health, net zero targets and agriculture.
Budget: Funding available: £83,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).
Project Status: Project in procurement.
Call dates: Wednesday 2nd April –Tuesday 6th May, midday.
For more information on this project, please see the project specification.
All applications should be submitted by email to procurement@crew.ac.uk before the deadline. Please use this capacity building project application form.
GUIDANCE & DOCUMENTATION
- All feedback and queries related to CREW calls should be emailed to procurement@crew.ac.uk by Friday 25th April.
- All non-confidential queries and answers will be published on this website.
- All applications should be submitted by email to procurement@crew.ac.uk before the deadline.
- CREW Funding Terms and Conditions have been provided to all eligible Higher Education Institutes and Research Institutes.
- To apply, please use this capacity building project application form.
News
Review of psychoactive substances wastewater monitoring approaches and recommendations for the feasibility of applying different approaches in Scotland
Scotland faces a critical public health crisis with one of the highest drug-related death rates in the developed world. Polysubstance use further complicates this issue, creating unpredictable health risks for users. Efforts to address this crisis include the National Drugs Mission Plan (2022–2026), which emphasizes reducing drug-related deaths through improved data collection and harm reduction strategies. The RADAR system (Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response) plays a pivotal role in providing early warnings about emerging drug trends, such as the rise of potent synthetic opioids like nitazenes, enabling timely policy responses. However, existing approaches to monitor psychoactive substance use are limited by their time-consuming nature and inability to provide real-time data on drug consumption dynamics. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WWBE) offers a promising solution by analysing psychoactive substance residues in wastewater to deliver robust, dynamic, and timely insights into drug use patterns. This project explored the feasibility of leveraging Scotland’s existing wastewater monitoring infrastructure to enhance early warning systems like RADAR and support public health initiatives.
Objectives and Approach
The objectives of the project were to address the following questions:
- Which specific target substances should be monitored to address the highest public health threats for Scotland? For which are there recognised analytical strategies internationally?
- What are the characteristics of (a) existing infrastructure and (b) different analytical approaches available internationally and in Scotland for supporting the monitoring of target psychoactive substances and their metabolites?
- What are the characteristics of existing early warning reporting systems on drug use – internationally and in Scotland – that the different monitoring activities feed into?
- What are the options for monitoring and reporting of target psychoactive substances and their metabolites that are currently a) feasible and b) infeasible to do in Scotland and why, based on: - existing infrastructure for influent sampling of wastewater and its capacities - speed of turnaround to fit in with current reporting times (e.g. in RADAR updates) - availability of licenced laboratories with the appropriate skillset and technology in Scotland and the UK - restricted funding environment - capacities in relation to laboratory analysis - existing reporting systems?
- What are the potential benefits afforded by such a recommended monitoring approach to support the existing systems of early warning surveillance data to inform Public Health Scotland action and international public health organisations?
- What is the most feasible recommended approach to implement post-project (through limited trials or nationwide use of all appropriate Scottish Water sampling sites)?
Objectives were addressed through systematic literature review, evidence mapping, engagement of key stakeholders (Scottish Water, Public Health Scotland, European Drugs Agency) and experts through informal discussion, and a formal focus group.
Project Outputs
CRW2023_10 Psychoactive substances wastewater monitoring approaches - Main report and appendices
CRW2023_10 Psychoactive substances wastewater monitoring approaches - Appendix 7- CRW2023_10 Psychoactive substances wastewater monitoring approaches - Policy Brief
- CRW2023_10 Psychoactive substances wastewater monitoring approaches - Project Summary
Review of monitoring approaches to deliver healthy ecosystems for Scotland's protected fresh waters and wetlands
NatureScot is committed to reversing the decline in freshwater biodiversity by protecting and improving ecosystem health in protected areas. This effort aligns with Scotland’s goal to safeguard 30% of its land and sea by 2030. This project makes recommendations on a monitoring framework that would inform management decisions to deliver healthy ecosystems. To achieve this, monitoring efforts must shift toward a broader landscape or catchment-scale approach, providing a more comprehensive understanding of freshwater and wetland ecosystems.
The project recommends developing a multi-index ecosystem assessment framework that will:
- Use indicators of pressures, physicochemical state and biological impact to assess ecosystem health.
- Help decision-makers allocate monitoring resources appropriately to inform the delivery of healthy ecosystems.
- Facilitate data sharing and inter-organisational collaboration to create practical conservation strategies.
The project found that to support this transition, NatureScot can leverage existing tools while exploring new, innovative approaches. The key steps in this transition include:
- Working with monitoring partners to assess the availability, format, and accessibility of existing healthy ecosystem indicator data.
- Building the necessary skills to collate, interpret and apply a wider ecosystems dataset.
- Developing a data integration approach that will synthesis ecosystem data across a range of data types and scales.
- Evaluating the policy, resource, and legislative implications of a new monitoring approach.
Project outputs
CRW2024_07 Economic, societal and public health benefits of improving water quality at designated bathing waters to a good or excellent standard in Scotland: Literature review
Type of project: Capacity Building
Project status: Project in procurement. Call closed.
Overview: This project aims to provide information on the benefits to the economy, society and public health to improving bathing water quality in Scotland, and the approaches, investment levels, ambition, achievements in other parts of the UK. This information will support the development of a framework approach to understanding and calculating the benefits of improving bathing water quality in Scotland, with an indicative way of calculating these benefits which can be applied to individual sites.
The key questions to be addressed, via review of academic and grey literature, are:
- What factors should be considered when assessing the economic, societal and public health benefits of improving bathing water quality from sufficient to good or excellent?
- What approaches, investment levels, ambition and achievements have been set/achieved in other parts of the UK and EU of improving bathing water quality beyond the sufficient classification, with values where possible, and who set these (Government, Local Authorities Water Companies or other bodies)?
- What cost benefit analysis, or other method of assessing proportional cost, has been used for any decisions worldwide on water quality improvements to support recreational water use?
News
CRW2024_06 Transitioning surface water collection to surface water reuse systems
Type: Capacity Building
Budget: up to a maximum of £85,000 excluding VAT (if applicable).
Project Status: Project in procurement.
Call dates: Tuesday 25 March – Wednesday 7 May 12:00.
Project specification: Please see the project specification for full details on the call.
All applications should be submitted by email to procurement@crew.ac.uk before the deadline. Please use this capacity building project application form.
Overview: This Capacity Building project aims to explore the emerging area of interest in surface water reuse before the next regulatory planning period (April 2027-March 2033) and demonstrate clear policy/strategic alignment. The project will focus on non-potable uses, such as non-food agriculture, car washing, and cooling systems, which are less regulated, but may still require adherence to local planning and environmental legislation.
Careful consideration will therefore be given to:
- Where water is captured from, given that rainwater from roofs generally contains a lower pollutant load than surface water from roads, for example.
- What untreated surface water can be used for, within current legislation.
- Feasibility of minor treatment/settlement/screening of surface water to allow captured water to be reused more widely.
- Which legislations exist regarding the reuse of grey water for non-potable uses.
News
Water Scarcity in Scotland: Future Impact for Distilleries and Agriculture
Research led by The James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, the University of Aberdeen, and the British Geological Survey, highlights the increasing threat of water scarcity in Scotland due to climate change. Recently published in The Geographer (Winter 2024 edition, Adaption: Are we ready? And how far is it possible to adapt?), the study examines the potential impact on agriculture and distilleries.
Scotland’s agriculture and whisky industries rely heavily on rainfall and surface water. However, projections up to 2049 indicate reduced summer and early autumn rainfall, especially in eastern Scotland. This will likely double the frequency of low river flow events by 2050. For example, low flows in the River Spey, important for Scotch whisky production, could increase from once every five years to every two.
The research outlines risks across sectors:
- Crop Production: Lower yields and income losses due to reduced rainfall during critical growth stages.
- Livestock Farming: Diminished grass growth, water access, and animal health risks.
- Distilleries: Potential production halts due to restrictions in water use.
Proposed measures include efficient irrigation, increased water storage during wetter winters, and improved soil and groundwater management. While the whisky industry is exploring water-saving technologies, stakeholders in agriculture face challenges such as financial constraints and infrastructure needs.
This research underscores the urgency for Scotland’s industries to adapt to water scarcity, advocating proactive planning, innovative solutions, and further study to ensure resilience against future droughts.
CREW would like to thank the research team (The James Hutton Institute, the University of Aberdeen, SRUC and BGS) and the Project Steering Groups (Consumer Scotland, NatureScot, SEPA, WICS and the Scottish Government) for their dedication and support to the project and in addressing this important issue.
See the full project outputs here.
Scotland’s Flood Resilience Conference Highlights Urgent Need for Action and Innovation
The 2025 Sniffer (now Verture ) Flood Resilience Conference brought together experts, policymakers, and communities at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh to tackle the pressing challenges of flood resilience.
Dr Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action, launched Scotland’s National Flood Resilience Strategy, emphasising the importance of proactive flood management and how Scotland takes flooding seriously. One of CREWs recent science policy fellowships (Building Public Health Resilience to Fluvial Flooding in Scotland) features in the strategy and you can read more about that here.
The conference also amplified young voices from local schools, highlighting the next generation’s concerns and aspirations for climate resilience, and gave a platform to early career researchers from SEPA, AECOM, RPALtd, University of Dundee and Mott MacDonald.
Key sessions explored innovative flood solutions, sustainable drainage systems, and nature-based approaches. Please follow the links for more information about our recently published SuDS (sustainable drainage systems) project, ‘Increasing flood resilience: residential and community runoff retention solutions’ and our science-policy fellowship ‘Resilience to Fluvial Flooding: Knowns and Unknowns to Recommendations for Management’ which touched on the theme of natural flood management.
One of the most impactful talks came from members of the Glasgow Disability Alliance who spoke about involving disabled people in flood resilience, giving examples of how critical it is for disabled peoples voices to be included in emergency response planning. The CREW science-policy fellowship ‘Policy to Preparedness: Flood Policy and Community Engagement’ broaches inequalities in society. The research team finding that distribution of physical flood risk is not fair nor equal, nor are the social circumstances of many who live on low incomes with limited resources.
The event underscored the need for co-produced, community-led solutions. As Sniffer’s new CEO, Jo Kerr, noted, “We need to meaningfully and deeply co-produce solutions.” With Scotland facing increasing flood risks, these conversations will shape future strategies for resilience and adaptation.
On a final note, we would like to thank Diarmuid O'Neill, Director of Environment and Forestry for Scottish Government for mentioning the work done by CREW in his plenary address, and to also thank all of the people who came to talk to us at the CREW stand.
CSPF2025_01 Exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence for flood forecasting in Scotland
Type of project: Science Policy Fellowship
Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.3-month Science Policy Fellowship to undertake a rapid evidence review of the current and emerging capabilities of AI to support and enhance flood forecasting capabilities.
Project Status: Project in progress
News
Sharing Insights on Hydropower and Sediment Management
Great discussions were held this week at a hybrid hydro-sector dissemination event at the Advanced Research Centre (University of Glasgow), where Professor Richard Williams presented findings from the CREW project, “Environmentally effective and cost-efficient sediment management at impoundments.”
The team showcased their insightful project video, available here and also shared an infographic illustrating how river health relies on sediment flow (pictured).
The event also featured:
- A presentation of a guidance framework for best practice in hydropower licensing applications, which was developed as part of the project.
- A presentation by Professor Nick Hanley about the project’s cost-benefit analysis for catchment sediment management.
- Engaging round-table discussions on the project report’s recommendations. The most popular of which being how to raise awareness of sediment management within the hydropower community.
Learn more here: Environmentally effective and cost-efficient sediment management at impoundments | CREW | Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters
CREW would like to thank the research team (University of Glasgow and cbec eco engineering) and the Project Steering Group (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Canals, NatureScot and the Scottish Government) for their dedication and support to the project and in addressing this important issue.
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