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Better water quality while saving costs and carbon? Water qual...
APEM are experts in the monitoring, assessment and management of aquatic environments throughout the UK and Ireland. We have been responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of comprehensive water quality management programmes at a number of locations.
Our internationally recognised team carries out scientific investigations of water quality problems ranging from issues caused by industrial legacy to supporting the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Our services include water and sediment quality sampling to investigate the scale, nature and source of problems in a range of aquatic environments from ponds to reservoirs, rivers and estuaries. Our large, dedicated field team have carried out large numbers of catchment water quality (chemical, nutrient, sediment and microbiological) monitoring projects in recent years.
The APEM team has extensive experience of catchment-wide surveys across a range of locations within urban and rural landscapes, and freshwater and marine environments.
Using the data collected, we diagnose the causes of water quality issues and undertake source apportionment, determining programmes to manage them, with continuous monitoring and spot sampling.
We provide catchment-scale and in-lake nutrient budget investigations, as well as the development of nutrient and water budgets. We lead and work alongside large consortia to provide integrated water management for large-scale projects such as water resource planning, Water Framework Directive studies and Bathing Water Directive investigations.
In addition to research and monitoring based on data collection, we carry out desk-based services including the analysis of long-term data trends and reviews of water quality datasets and management options. See our water quality modelling service page for more information.
We routinely undertake work for UK and Irish water companies to provide information and advice on ensuring the supply of safe drinking water. This includes investigations into taste and odour issues in reservoirs across the UK, including geosmin, metaldehyde and 2-MIB.
APEM is one of the leading providers of algal bloom assessment and management. We provide expert advice on the source and impacts of algal blooms, and on monitoring and management options.
Our services also cover the development of lake management plans, including lake restoration strategies and implementation of management recommendations. This includes condition assessments of protected sites on behalf of Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Marine Scotland to identify the source of water quality problems and inform their management and restoration. Covering water and sediment sampling to identify key nutrient inputs to lakes and rivers, we aid the development of nutrient reduction action plans to improve water quality.
These studies often incorporate catchment walkover surveys to identify point source and diffuse pollution and to prioritise catchment management options to reduce inputs. We have developed nutrient budgets for a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with recommendations on potential in-lake restoration actions.
With the rise in popularity of open water swimming, there is also a need for short-term and rapid water quality assessments, particularly with respect to potential pathogens. Every year in the run up to triathlons and swim events we are involved in a number of intensive water quality management and monitoring programmes that help to determine whether the events can proceed.
Our pre-event Management Action Plans (Great Swim, Triathlon England) consider bacteriology and blue-green algae and include advice on health risks, management actions, and competitor advice. We also deliver pre-event bacteriology and blue-green algae sampling strategies for venues.
These have included the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games triathlon and our ongoing monitoring at Salford Quays, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European Championships triathlons at Strathclyde Loch, the Open Water Marathon Swim at the Serpentine, the London 2012 Olympic triathlon, the Great Swim series and numerous Iron Man UK events as well as a variety of other localised swim events.
Correct aeration distributes cooler oxygenated water to warmer areas with lower amounts of dissolved oxygen and also improves water quality and clarity, which is also improved through aeration. We have extensive experience of mixing, destratification, aeration and oxygenation techniques for use in water quality management and restoration.
Our long and established relationship of working on the Manchester Ship Canal and Salford Quays has given us an unprecedented understanding of the management of large urban water bodies which have benefited other clients throughout the UK and Ireland. These relationships have given us a unique insight into the changing waterways of the UK.
We provide a pollution response service with dedicated staff fully trained in the use of hydrogen peroxide equipment, a particularly powerful water quality management tool in the event of pollution incidents. Our extensive knowledge of the effectiveness of such techniques resulted in us being commissioned by the Environment Agency to develop best practice guidelines, define operational procedures and advise on health and safety for its use.
All of our reports on water quality investigations are designed to be acceptable to the regulatory authorities. The reports have been used to plan asset improvement schemes and for water resource management planning. Investigations are frequently carried out as part of environmental impact assessments.
The team at APEM would be happy to answer any questions you have about water quality monitoring and management. Please use the form below to get in touch.
Read one of APEM’s blogs, news articles or case studies to find out more.
Advanced water quality models can help water companies and businesses with their catchment-based approach to asset management
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Government will introduce a plan to reduce river pollution from storm sewer discharges we look at the problems and how they can be tackled
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Since 1987 APEM Ltd have been supporting Salford City Council to monitor and manage the water quality and ecology in Salford Quays
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The bathing water season is nearly upon us the quality of our bathing waters will be under scrutiny more than ever before, so now is the time to act
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Algal blooms can cause a whole host of water quality issues and can be toxic to fish, birds, mammals and humans and produce taste and odour compounds
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Diatoms are found everywhere, in our oceans, rivers, lakes, and soils the populations of diatoms found within water bodies can reveal all kinds of information
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Environment Minister Rebecca Pow challenged the water industry to do more to protect our water resources. APEM is working with water companies to achieve this
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