UK Focus iii


of servicing large numbers of sondes so that data are accurate and the ESNET systems are maintained in optimal condition.”


Proactive maintenance


Meteor Communications was responsible for maintaining the condition of the monitoring equipment, and checking the validity of the data to ensure a continuous dataset was provided for almost 2 years. In addition, APEM checked the readings three times per day, every day, as part of its proactive maintenance service, which, if measurements exceed pre-set values, could also include mitigation measures such as aeration and fi sh rescue.


With the benefi t of Meteor’s monitoring systems, APEM also provided United Utilities with weekly water quality reports, and incident notices with visual checks when any of the pre-set measurement values were breached. “This was important for all stakeholders,” explains Joe Allaby. “Continuous monitoring with real-time access to data meant that the water utility, the regulator and local residents could all rest assured that river water quality was being maintained, and that a rapid response would be available if an alert was issued.”


Meteor’s Matt Dibbs says: “This project exemplifi es everything that a water utility would need to comply with Section 82 of the Environment Act, and with hundreds of ESNET systems operating in the UK, we have the scale of operations to help utilities demonstrate compliance during AMP8.


“In applications such as this, it is great to see consultants using their expertise to leverage the value of continuous water quality data. I should mention however, that our water quality monitors are being used in many different water quality monitoring applications beyond storm overfl ows. For example, ESNETs are also used for fi nal effl uent monitoring and catchment surveys, as well as short-term investigations and research projects.”


Results


With almost two years of continuous monitoring upstream and downstream of the temporary discharge at Kendal, the data demonstrated that there were no signifi cant detrimental effects on water quality. “We did detect occasional breaches of the values that we set as early warning levels for response,” explains Joe Allaby. “However, these were usually found to be due to


sediment, or due to a dissolved oxygen dip during warm periods in the summer.


“For us, the continuous dataset was essential because it gave us peace of mind when things were going well, and provided an early alert when conditions changed, and a rapid response was necessary.”


Contact Details


Matt Dibbs, Managing Director, Meteor Communications Ltd. Unit 12, Bridgegate Centre, Martinfi eld, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JG, UK


• Tel: +44 (0)1727 8 999 90 • Email: enq@meteorcommunications.co.uk • Web: www.meteorcommunications.co.uk


New ASTM standard ensures reliable HPC testing IDEXX, the global expert in water microbiology, has announced that its EasyDisc®


PCA, YEA and R2A tests, for the for the detection of heterotrophic


plate counts (HPC) in water, have been published by ASTM International as the ‘ASTM D8516-23: Standard Test Method for Quantifi cation of Culturable Waterborne Bacteria Using a Defi ned Culture Medium Coated Plate’. ASTM International is an international organisation that develops and publishes standards applicable to a wide variety of industries. There are over 12,500 global ASTM standards, developed and reviewed by over 30,000 technical experts from more than 140 participating countries.


IDEXX launched EasyDisc in 2021, which is a simple solution for HPC testing, needing no agar preparation, and requiring less than one minute of hands-on time to process a sample. Post- incubation, blue colonies reduce the ambiguity of results, and colony counting is made easier by the integrated gridlines in the EasyDisc plate. With a 12-month shelf life, EasyDisc reduces the need for repetitive quality control checks and ensures that tests are ready when needed.


EasyDisc formulations cover all categories of HPC testing: PCA and YEA, which correlate with the pour plate method using plate count agar and yeast extract agar respectively, for the testing of drinking and source water; and R2A that is comparable to the pour plate method using Reasoner’s 2 agar for the testing of medical and/or pharmaceutical waters. In 2022, IDEXX expanded the EasyDisc platform with the DEV test, designed to correlate with the German Drinking Water Directive (TrinkwV), §15(1c).


This publication as a standard follows EasyDisc YEA test being validated and certifi ed by the French standards organisation, AFNOR, with ‘NF Validation’ for the enumeration of cultural micro-organisms in water for human consumption (drinking water) under reference IDX 33/09-03/22.


EasyDisc complements other innovative water testing methods from IDEXX, which include liquid culture methods for the rapid enumeration of E. coli and coliform bacteria, as well as detection methods for enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumophila. More recently, IDEXX has introduced Tecta®


for fully automated water microbiology testing.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Rebk and ilmt.co/PL/qjE4 For More Info, email:


email:


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: email:


New report updates dire forecasts for fl ooding and drought in the UK TALKING POINT


Recently, The Wildlife Trusts published their progress report for 2023-4, Embracing Nature: Climate Change Adaptation at The Wildlife Trusts. This report builds on their ongoing commitment to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss by ensuring that the UK’s wildlife and natural habitats are resilient in the face of escalating climate impacts.


After a year marked by record-breaking global temperatures and extreme weather events around the world, the UK experienced its second warmest year on record, with devastating storms and widespread fl ooding. These climate shifts have had profound impacts on wildlife across the UK, from marine heatwaves to extensive fl ooding that has further stressed ecosystems already reeling from the eff ects of past climate events.


As such, The Wildlife Trusts have updated their projections of climate impacts on their nature reserves – and it’s a stark picture of what the future could hold. Under a scenario where global temperatures rise by 2°C by 2100, over half (57%) of all reserves could experience drops in river fl ows of more


than 30% during periods of low fl ow and all reserves would be subject to changes in river fl ood magnitude between +10% and –10%. At 4°C, considered feasible by the IPCC within its ‘business as usual’ trajectory, paints an even bleaker picture, with all reserves suff ering drops in river fl ows of more than 30% during low fl ow as well as increases in fl ood magnitudes in the west of the UK.


These scenarios – and, it’s worth noting, every step along the way towards them – would wreak havoc on many of the critical ecosystems that the Trusts protect. In response to these projections, the report identifi es drought as the most pressing threat to nature on the reserves, with 90% of conservation practitioners acknowledging its current negative impacts. Looking ahead, drought remains the top concern, followed closely by heatwaves and wildfi res, underscoring the need for comprehensive drought planning and monitoring alongside traditional fl ood management strategies.


The Wildlife Trusts are calling for a more ambitious approach from the UK Government, particularly in light of recent


61335pr@reply-direct.com


SCAN HERE FOR THE


WWEM 2024 FLOORPLAN


updates to the National Adaptation Programme, which the Trusts consider ‘disappointing’ as it ‘contained no new funding and lacked ambition.’ They are urging the new Labour Government to commit to at least £3 billion annually for nature-based adaptation solutions by 2030, restart essential support services for organizations, and shift the responsibility for adaptation policy to the Cabinet Offi ce for better coordination across government.


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