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That water is the world's most precious natural resource cannot be in doubt. Increasing demands for water due to growing population, increasing urbanization and industrial development exemplify its vital role in human life. Water touches us all, from the commercial private sector which either generates or uses the product potable water ; through national and international government agencies (policy makers and regulators who attempt to maintain and improve our environment, whilst also making provision for the effective and safe treatment and distribution of potable water, and the collection, treatment discharge of our wastewater) ; to the general public whose lives depend upon the availability of sufficient quality and quantity. [.]

AbstractThis paper considers the structure, regulation and performance of the water industry in England and Wales in the postprivatisation period from 1989. The paper examines the improvements achieved in drinking water and wastewater effluent quality and in the overall performance. The challenges facing the industry in the areas of water resource planning, energy efficiency and chemical consumption, arising from climate change, are also considered. The paper considers how the industry's current approach and attitude towards research and development (R&D) will influence its ability to meet the latest challenges laid down by the regulators. The paper calls for increased emphasis on, and incentive for, R&D in the water industry to ensure sustainable solutions in both water and sewage treatment.

Yes ; This study used fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) analysis to investigate the characteristics of natural organic matter (NOM) in treated water using okra crude extract (OCE), sabdariffa crude extract (SCE) and kenaf crude extract (KCE) as coagulants. In addition, an assessment of the impact of purified okra protein (POP), purified sabdariffa protein (PSP) and purified kenaf protein (PKP) was undertaken. The performance evaluation of these coagulants in terms of increase or decrease in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was compared with Peak T fluorescence intensity observed at excitation wavelength 220–230 nm, and emission wavelength 340–360 nm. Fluorescence analysis of water treated with the crude extracts identified the removal of DOC in peaks A and C region whereas the increase in DOC from the protein was predominantly found in peaks T and B region. Furthermore, it was observed that the purified proteins were noted to be capable of reducing the DOC concentration in raw water where all fluorophores were not detected. The application of OCE, SCE and KCE yielded an increase in DOC of 65, 61 and 55% respectively, corresponding to increases of 65, 29 and 54% in peak T fluorescence intensities, at 100 mg/l dose. Furthermore, DOC concentration was reduced by 25, 24 and 18% using POP, PSP and PKP respectively as coagulants with corresponding decreases in fluorescence intensity of 46%, 44 and 36% in POP, PSP and PKP, at a lower dose of 0.1 mg/l. Therefore, it is clear that Peak T fluorescence intensity could be used to characterise organic matter in treated water using natural extracts to assess final water quality. ; Financial support given to this research work by the Nigerian Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund/AST &D/2013/2014/CE/02)