Chemical Investigations Programme

Part of this process involves investigating what chemical substances enter our sewer network, how they get there and studying their effect on the environment.

In 2010, a national research programme was launched in collaboration with UKWIR, a body set up by the UK water industry in 1993 to provide a framework for the procurement of a common research programme for UK water operators on 'one voice' issues.

This programme, named the ‘Chemical Investigation Programme’ or CIP, involves water and sewerage companies across the UK, environmental regulators and industry experts who contribute to a nation-wide approach to this research.

Our everyday lives now use all sorts of chemicals and compounds which can end up in the waste network system. These chemicals include, but are not limited to, metals, industrial chemicals such as fire retardants, types of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances), as well as biocides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

Since 2010, the programme has investigated the presence of hundreds of chemicals, tested in laboratories to understand how they behave through treatment works and if any technology exists to remove them. This programme has also included aspects including microplastics and antimicrobial resistance in wastewater treatment systems.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, like other water & sewerage companies, have provided data to the programme from wastewater treatment works across our operating area, samples from our sewer network system, associated waterbodies and our (enhanced) biosolids product. This data is contributing to a national data set covering different aspects, such as type of wastewater treatment, possible chemical sources, type of catchment, size of the treatment work amongst other criteria.

This national collaborative approach gives the water industry and its partners the best opportunity to gain maximum knowledge and understanding from this research, as well as value for money for our customers. This information is openly shared with regulators, who are part of the steering groups, to help inform the national regulatory direction.

Since the start of the programme, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water have contributed both funding and data to more than 30 different investigations, involving over 30 wastewater treatment works. The most recently completed phase of CIP has a specific data portal available via UKWIR’s website.

The period 2025-2030 will see the programme undertake its 4th phase, building upon data and conclusions drawn from previous research programmes.

To find out more about previous phases of CIP, please visit UKWIR’s publications page and search ”CIP” to explore the collection of reports and projects summaries published in relation to these ongoing investigations. You can also view data collated so far on UKWIR’s data access portal here.