Research Funding cycle: 2022-27

Water and Society

Aerial view of Elie and Earlsferry. Photo credit: Posnov. Source: Getty Images

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CREW is governed according to key policy areas in Scotland’s water sector including flooding, water scarcity, coastal erosion, catchment management, rural sustainability, water quality and health, and resource recovery. Cross-cutting activities focus on adapting to climate change, land use and urbanisation, promoting the circular economy, a post-COVID green recovery, the move to net zero and a just transition for communities.

All our work has an overarching consideration of maximising the benefits of research to society and the environment.

Utility of wastewater surveillance for detecting and monitoring emerging and re-emerging pathogens and endemic infections

Type of project: Hydro Nation International Centre (HNIC) Call Down

Project Status: Project complete. The report can be accessed via the HNIC website here

Overview: This project conducted a rapid evidence review and synthesis on the utility of wastewater surveillance for detecting and monitoring emerging and re-emerging pathogens (e.g. measles) and endemic infections, including blood-borne viruses and enteric viruses. 

 

Environmentally effective and cost-efficient sediment management at impoundments

Impoundments on rivers are often critical for purposes such as power generation and water supply yet they can also reduce or prevent the natural movement of sediment downstream. Accumulation of sediment behind an impoundment can pose a risk to its intended use and result in adverse ecological consequences downstream due to sediment not being naturally replenished. This project developed initiatives to raise awareness of the commercial and environmental risks associated with sediment discontinuity caused by impoundments.

Increasing flood resilience: residential and community runoff retention solutions

 

In recent years there has been an increased awareness of the need to address surface water runoff in urban environments. This includes understanding where flood risks may arise, increase, or change in the future due to climate change and increased urban creep, the increased conversion of gardens and other vegetated areas which help to soak up rain. To support resilient surface water management in urban environments, the identification, efficacy, cost effectiveness and prioritisation of implementable flood risk management solutions is essential.

Understanding the relationship between water scarcity and land use in private water supply catchments – a review

This project aimed to compile an evidence base and offer recommendations informing policy and practice regarding how land use changes may impact the amount of water available to private water supplies (PWS). The focus was on the impacts to water availability from emerging land use trends of tree planting (afforestation and agroforestry) and wind farm development in Scotland.

PFAS in drinking water supplies: A review of source, pathway, and fate for selected compounds

This CREW call down project is a follow-on from the CREW project “Developing risk assessment approaches for PFAS and watch list parameters under the recast Drinking Water Directive – PFAS, 17ß-estradiol, nonylphenol” (Vorstius et al., 2024) with a particular focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals with many industrial and domestic applications. In Scotland, a drinking water standard of 0.1 µg/l for the sum of 20 PFAS subs

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