UKWIR was set up by the UK water industry in 1993 to provide a framework for the procurement of a common research programme for UK water operators on 'one voice' issues. UKWIR's members comprise 24 water and sewerage undertakers in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Work is often carried out in collaboration with government departments and regulators including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency. Some work is also done in collaboration with research organisations internationally.
The majority of work is put out to open tender to a wide range of companies, academic institutions and other organisations in the UK and overseas. Project management is undertaken by both the water industry's R&D departments and by individuals employed by UKWIR.
The research programme is currently divided into the following topic areas: drinking water quality and health; toxicology; water resources; climate change; wastewater treatment and sewerage; sewage sludge; water mains and services; sewerage; leakage and metering; as well as customer and regulatory issues.
A quarterly newsletter, UKWIR News is circulated widely.
Details of the overall research strategy and proposals for future research and the research planning timetable are available on the UKWIR website.
Publication of research outputs
Brief summaries of published research reports are available on the website and copies may be purchased by non-subscribers. For more information.