Expert advice and support for water pollution incidents

Water pollution advice and support

Over 30 years of experience

APEM have been providing water pollution services for over 30 years, covering direct or indirect pollution discharges into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and ground water.

APEM’s team of nationally recognised scientists advises a wide range of clients throughout the UK and Ireland, including the Environment Agency and other regulators, water and power companies, government bodies and local authorities.

Water pollution services

We provide services for monitoring both point source and diffuse pollution to help comply with environmental legislation (such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Bathing Water Directive) and drinking water standards.

Our scientists are recognised experts in their diverse and specialist fields. We offer a professional, client-focused service which covers:

• Responsive call-out service in the event of a pollution incident

• Diffuse pollution tracing and mitigation

• Baseline and wet weather diffuse pollution surveys

• Use of in house UKAS accredited laboratories for water sample analysis

• Digital aerial surveys to cover large catchment areas quickly and cost effectively

Unrivalled water pollution experience

The UK’s industrial legacy has meant that APEM are highly experienced in the study and restoration of waters which are affected by it. Here’s how our long and varied experience in water pollution has helped (and continues to help) our clients:

Salford Quays and the Manchester Ship Canal are internationally recognised as being among the most prestigious restored waterbodies, thanks to the use of oxygen injection and aeration schemes. The £4 million scheme to clean the heavily polluted waters of the upper Ship Canal involved an intensive 20-year period of research and continues to inform many other areas of work.
As expert witnesses, APEM offer independent evaluation on the scale and extent of pollution for use by the prosecution or defence in subsequent court cases.
Acting quickly in the event of an incident is essential to assess the extent of the problem and whether interventions such as aeration, hydrogen peroxide or fish evacuation can alleviate the situation and prevent unnecessary fish deaths. Our nationwide team is available 24 hours a day to ensure a fast response and quick results.
Intensive sampling at wastewater treatment works consisting of taking hourly samples from each effluent over three days. Data were provided on product use and breakdown during the treatment process.
Long-term monitoring of wastewater discharges following flood damage to assess immediate impacts and recovery over time.
In collaboration with the Environment Agency, we developed a standardised methodology for the identification and classification of diffuse pollution sources entering Britain’s watercourses. Over 25,000 potential sources were mapped and graded according to their severity in both rural and urban settings.
Surveyed the entire River Worfe catchment to identify sources of aquatic pollution, along with other compliance issues related to the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
APEM regularly operate a purpose-built litter boat on the River Irwell in Manchester, between Salford Quays and Manchester Cathedral, collecting plastic bottles, food wrappers and natural debris.