Document Category: Guides

Natural Capital and its Relevance to Improving Freshwater and Wetland Habitats (FR/G00012)

Natural Capital refers to the elements of the natural environment (eg woodlands, rivers, minerals, parks) which provide a flow of benefits to people and the economy. The aim of the guide is to be of assistance to readers who would like to gain a basic appreciation of Natural Capital and to consider its relevance when…
UK Freshwater and Wetland Habitats: opportunities to get involved in their conservation and restoration (FR/G0011)

This guide aims to increase public awareness of the importance of biodiversity, specifically on freshwater and wetland habitats as hosts for wildlife. It also aims to increase public engagement in conservation and restoration activity. Pressures that threaten the natural world are summarised and indicative trends are described; selected priority habitats are characterised, and the range…
Water Storage, Use & Wastewater Disposal for Leisure Boats and Caravans (FR/G0010)

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of safe storage and use of drinking water, and disposal of wastewater, for owners of leisure boats and caravans. With reference to latest guidelines and regulations, this guide aims to bring all of the relevant information together in one easily accessible document. Following guidance in this report will help…
Urban Rainwater Harvesting and Water Reuse: A review of potential benefits and current UK practice (FR/G0006)

There are several reasons for the rising interest in urban water use and reuse in the U These include the global trend for migration from rural to urban environments, with per capita water use amplified by the subsequent changing lifestyles and habits. Media focus on climate change has also led to increased concern about higher…
A Householder’s Guide to Water Supply and Sewerage (FR/G0002)

Water and sewerage services are taken for granted unless something goes wrong. There are good reasons for knowing more: – personal health may be affected by water contamination in the home, the health of the environment can be affected by what we dispose of down the drain, and leaking pipework may damage the fabric of…
Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (FR/G0004)

Standards and guidelines for drinking water are continuing to evolve as knowledge increases. Standards are important in providing a basis for judging the safety of water supplies but they are also important in ensuring the acceptability of drinking water, providing a benchmark for water treatment and in some cases a means of reassuring consumers. The…
Public Water Supply Management – An Introductory Guide (FR/G0009)

The objective of public water supply management is to supply wholesome water within set quality and levels of service criteria in sufficient quantity to meet consumer demand. The guide explores the various sources of water for supply indicating the water quality issues associated with each: outlines the quality standards that must be achieved and maintained…
The European Community Water Framework Directive: An Introductory Guide (FR/G0001)

The Water Framework Directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in October 2000 and now provides the major driver for water policy in the UK for the foreseeable future. At the heart of the Directive is river basin management planning. The purpose of this guide is to introduce…
Urban Wastewater Management: An Introductory Guide (FR/G0008)

Urban wastewater commonly comprises the waste waters from domestic, commercial, industrial and other human activities. It is conveyed for treatment to a wastewater treatment plant, more usually called a sewage works, via a network of drains and sewers called the sewerage system. Urban wastewater management is a key man-made component of the water cycle. The…
Householder’s Guide to Private Water Supplies (FR/G0007)

This guide is intended to assist those who live in a house that has a private water supply, or who are contemplating moving into property served by a private water supply. It is specifically written for those who do not have any knowledge of the water supply systems. The safety of drinking water is paramount…
Standards for Recreational Water Quality (FR/G0005)

Although there have been microbiological standards for recreational waters for many years in both North America and Europe, these have not been soundly based and they lacked epidemiological evidence that could support the argument that they were health-evidence-based. In order to improve this situation, epidemiological studies were carried out in the UK to quantify the…
The Evolution of River Basin Management in England & Wales (FR/G0003)

This brief overview of the historical development of river basin management in England and Wales covers the evolution of the present institutional arrangements and how the inherited water quality has changed over the period 1850 to date. Three overlapping phases of development are suggested that relate to the political, social and economic imperatives of the…