Exploring the UK's preparedness for emerging contaminants in water systems, including detection technologies, regulatory frameworks, and innovative solutions.
Imagine pouring a single drop of food colouring into an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Now imagine trying to detect that dilution days later, and understanding what it might do to the health of anyone who swims there. This is the scale of the challenge that scientists face daily in tracking 'emerging contaminants'—the thousands of potentially harmful chemicals entering our waterways at concentrations so minute they're measured in parts per trillion. From the painkillers in our medicine cabinets to the non-stick coatings on our cookware, these substances are the subtle byproducts of modern life, flowing mostly unnoticed from our homes into the environment.
In 2025, the UK finds itself at a critical crossroads in addressing these invisible threats. With only 14% of England's rivers achieving "good" ecological status1 and public awareness of water quality at an all-time high, the question of whether the nation has the scientific capability, regulatory framework, and technological infrastructure to meet this challenge has never been more pressing. This article explores the cutting-edge science behind detecting these elusive pollutants, assesses the UK's preparedness, and highlights the innovative solutions that could safeguard our water future.
Contaminants measured in parts per trillion
2025 marks a regulatory turning point
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are substances detected in our environment that are not yet widely regulated but may pose risks to ecosystem or human health. What makes them particularly concerning is their persistence, ability to bypass conventional treatment, and potential to cause harm even at extremely low concentrations4 . These are not new chemicals—rather, they're compounds we've only recently developed the capability to detect and understand.
These contaminants enter our waterways through multiple pathways: domestic sewage, healthcare and industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and during storm events that overwhelm sewer systems6 . Their diversity is astonishing, ranging from everyday products to industrial compounds:
| Category | Examples | Common Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | Ibuprofen, carbamazepine, antibiotics | Human waste, healthcare facilities, improper disposal |
| Personal Care Products | DEET insect repellent, fragrances, sunscreens | Bathing, swimming, consumer product use |
| Industrial Chemicals | PFAS (forever chemicals), plasticizers, flame retardants | Manufacturing, consumer products, firefighting foam |
| Lifestyle Substances | Caffeine, nicotine metabolites | Coffee, tea, tobacco products |
| Agricultural Chemicals | Pesticides, herbicides, veterinary medicines | Farming, landscaping, animal operations |
Among the most concerning emerging contaminants are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called "forever chemicals" due to their extraordinary persistence in the environment. These synthetic compounds have been used for decades in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging and firefighting foams.
The resilience that makes PFAS so useful in consumer products also makes them nearly indestructible in the environment. They don't break down naturally, accumulating in water, soil, and even human bodies. While the United States and European Union have established enforceable standards for PFAS in drinking water1 , England and Wales have yet to set statutory limits, relying instead on precautionary guideline values6 .
The challenge is monumental—one study identified PFAS in groundwater across England, with the insect repellent DEET detected in over five percent of samples4 . As Dave Walker, Global Future Trends Director at Detectronic, notes: "There is a data and long-term knowledge gap here... without regulatory compliance driving and/or justifying water company operational expenditure, real progress on this growing threat cannot be achieved"6 .
"There is a data and long-term knowledge gap here... without regulatory compliance driving and/or justifying water company operational expenditure, real progress on this growing threat cannot be achieved."
Identifying these trace substances requires extraordinarily sophisticated technology. Scientists now use advanced instrumentation including ultraperformance liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect contaminants at previously unimaginable concentrations—akin to finding a single grain of sand in an Olympic-sized swimming pool3 .
The UK is investing significantly in next-generation monitoring. In 2025, the updated MCERTS (Monitoring Certification Scheme) legislation takes effect, setting higher standards for monitoring wastewater discharges and requiring greater data transparency1 . Simultaneously, a £12 million Innovation in Environmental Monitoring programme is funding groundbreaking detection technologies.
| Technology | Lead Institution | Application |
|---|---|---|
| MaD-OPS (agile sensing network) | University of the West of England | Detecting organic pollution from sewage |
| Next generation passive sampling | University of Southampton | Monitoring organic contaminants in water |
| Paper 'origami' eDNA sensors | University of Lincoln | Public surveillance of invasive species |
| Airborne eDNA sampling | University College London | Terrestrial biodiversity monitoring |
| ADAPT-NP (multi-nutrient monitoring) | University of Southampton | Tracking multiple nutrients simultaneously |
"This investment will help to deliver a step-change in environmental monitoring, modelling and analysis."
Innovation in Environmental Monitoring programme funding
Higher standards for wastewater monitoring1
The UK faces significant challenges in managing emerging contaminants, but important groundwork is being laid. The beginning of AMP8 (Asset Management Period 8) in April 2025 marks a new regulatory era running through 2030, with expected emphasis on nature-based solutions and stricter pollution targets1 . However, several critical gaps remain:
Unlike the EU's revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which entered force in January 2025 with extended coverage for new pollutants, the UK lacks comprehensive regulations targeting many emerging contaminants specifically6 . Lila Thompson, Chief Executive of British Water, argues that "the water sector needs one voice on PFAS and emerging contaminants" to drive coherent policy6 .
Conventional wastewater treatment plants were designed for different times and different contaminants. While advanced technologies like activated carbon absorption, ozonation, and membrane filtration show promise, barriers include tremendous costs, energy demands, and technical complexity of retrofitting existing infrastructure6 .
| Aspect | Current Status | Key Developments Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Limited specific standards for most ECs | Statutory limits for PFAS and other priority substances |
| Monitoring | Significant investments and capability building | Standardized methods, expanded coverage, real-time networks |
| Treatment | Conventional systems ineffective against many ECs | Widespread adoption of advanced oxidation, membrane filtration |
| Research | Active but fragmented across multiple institutions | Coordinated national prioritization and funding |
| Public Awareness | Growing but limited understanding of risks | Effective science communication and consumer guidance |
To understand how scientists are documenting the spread of emerging contaminants, let's examine a crucial research effort—the comprehensive screening of groundwater across England led by the British Geological Survey. This ongoing study represents one of the most systematic attempts to characterize the invisible pollution lurking in the nation's aquifers.
Researchers collected water samples from numerous groundwater sources across England, including aquifers, springs, and monitoring wells.
They employed both gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) screens to detect a wide spectrum of contaminants.
The analysis looked for hundreds of compounds not routinely monitored or regulated, from pharmaceuticals to personal care products.
Detection locations were mapped to identify contamination hotspots and potential sources.
The findings revealed a surprising variety of emerging contaminants in groundwater systems:
These results demonstrate that emerging contaminants are not just a surface water issue—they have infiltrated the groundwater systems that supply drinking water and sustain river flows during dry periods. The study provided the first comprehensive baseline against which future changes can be measured and informed the development of a "groundwater watch list" for European regulators4 .
What does it take to find these elusive chemicals? The scientific toolkit for emerging contaminant research combines sophisticated instruments and novel approaches:
| Tool/Technology | Primary Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) | Separates and identifies compounds in liquid samples | Detecting pharmaceutical residues in wastewater effluent |
| Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) | Analyzes volatile and semi-volatile compounds | Identifying pesticide compounds in agricultural runoff |
| High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry | Provides extremely accurate molecular measurements | Distinguishing between similar compounds in complex mixtures |
| Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) | Identifies chemical bonds and functional groups | Analyzing microplastic composition in environmental samples |
| Passive Sampling Devices | Accumulates contaminants over time for time-weighted average concentrations | Monitoring fluctuating contaminant levels in rivers |
| Digital Twin Technology | Creates virtual replicas of infrastructure systems | Simulating contaminant movement through watersheds |
Addressing the challenge of emerging contaminants requires a multi-faceted approach that combines technology, policy, and public engagement:
The EU's revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive incorporates a system of producer responsibility for pharmaceutical and cosmetic producers to help cover costs of advanced wastewater treatment6 . Similar approaches could be adopted in the UK.
The wastewater industry is evolving toward circular economy solutions where treatment plants become resource recovery hubs1 . Technologies like nutrient recovery and biogas production can transform waste into value while removing contaminants.
Expanding the use of constructed wetlands, sustainable drainage systems, and vegetated buffer strips can provide cost-effective, natural treatment while enhancing biodiversity1 .
Developing comprehensive networks of sensors coupled with AI and predictive analytics will enable better forecasting and prevention of contamination events1 .
As Lila Thompson of British Water notes, the sector needs "an effective public education and communications strategy"6 to build understanding and support for necessary investments.
Success requires coordination between government, industry, academia, and the public to develop comprehensive solutions.
The challenge of emerging contaminants represents both a significant threat and an extraordinary opportunity—to reimagine our relationship with water, to innovate in detection and treatment technologies, and to develop more sustainable consumption patterns. The UK has substantial scientific expertise and growing regulatory momentum, but whether this will be sufficient to address the scale of the challenge remains uncertain.
What is clear is that business as usual is not an option. As we look toward 2025 and beyond, the path to cleaner water requires collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and communities. It demands both advanced technology and simpler, nature-based approaches. It calls for smarter regulations and more informed consumer choices.
The invisible world of emerging contaminants reminds us that everything is connected—the medicines we take, the products we use, the water we drink. Understanding these connections, and our role in them, is the first step toward creating a sustainable water future for all.