Water infrastructure fit for the 21st century
The centralised model for water infrastructure established in the 19th century has served us well, but it comes with high energy, capital and maintenance costs that are not compatible with a global net-zero carbon and sustainable economy.
Our vision is a future for off-grid water and wastewater biological treatment systems that operate with the ease, convenience and reliability of commercial domestic appliances (or community-scale versions of them).
Our Objectives
- Reliability
New systems must be reliable so that they are dependable for end users. - Ease of maintenance
New solutions require the development of new maintenance approaches. - Safety
Safety is paramount. End users will be able to take control of their water-related health. - Desirable to end users
Technologies must be desirable to end users. We will work to overcome barriers to adoption. - Affordable
We will work to ensure new solutions are economically viable for communities. - Effective
New off-grid test solutions to ensure efficacy will be developed. - Desirable to legislators
New approaches must be acceptable to regulators and legislators.
Updates
- Decentralised Water Technologies – Annual Report 2025 – Year 4
March 24, 2026
Decentralised Water Technologies – Annual Report 2025 – Year 4
We are delighted to share with you our Annual Report for Year 4 of the EPSRC Programme Grant in Decentralised Water Technologies. Please view the report by clicking on this link. We hope you enjoy reading about our progress to date and welcome any questions that you may have. Please contact: Principal Investigator / William ...
- SISC Blog / Equality is not Enough: Equity and the Just Transition to Sustainable Water Systems in Scotland
March 19, 2026
SISC Blog / Equality is not Enough: Equity and the Just Transition to Sustainable Water Systems in Scotland
Our latest SISC blog explores why fairness—not just abundance—matters when shaping Scotland’s future water systems. Although Scotland is often described as a “hydro nation,” communities across rural and island areas experience water access very differently, with growing pressures from climate change, land use, and ageing infrastructure. The post uses the well‑known equality–equity illustration to explain ...
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