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Cyanobacteria, and potent toxins (algal / cyanotoxins) they produce, have been found in waterbodies including drinking water reservoirs throughout Europe. Cyanotoxins (priority hazardous water pollutants under The European Water Framework Directive) have caused animal deaths and are implicated in human illness cases. This European Commission research will provide solutions for water management and purification strategies to reduce the human health risk of cyanobacteria and algal cyanotoxins in drinking water sources. The 3 year project started in September 2002 and has a value of £1.4 million. Organisations involved in the research are: - DVGW -TZW, Germany
- WRc Plc, University of Dundee, UKWIR, UK
- EAWAG, Switzerland
- DHI, Denmark
- University of Extremadura, Spain
- Kiwa, Netherlands
- Abo Akedemi University, Finland
- University of Algarve, Portugal
- University of Lodz, Poland.
The project covers issues associated with toxins - from raw water monitoring and cyanotoxin identification, analysis of cyanobacteria and their toxins during water treatment processes, cost evaluation, application and exploitation of the results by potential end-users. Water treatment evaluation will include performance of conventional and advanced treatment, disinfection and distribution. Benefits - Assurance that water treatment process selection and design or other mitigating strategies for algal toxins are adequate
- Guidance on operational practices to optimise performance
- Being kept abreast of treatment developments and strategies to guard against algae and algal toxins
- Forum for discussion of practical implications of algal toxin issues in water treatment
- Access to a UK "on-demand" advisory service provided by WRc on treatment issues related to algal toxins during the course of the work.
Further information: www.cyanotoxic.com
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