A thought-provoking publication looks at the potential for application of machine learning to the non-invasive monitoring of biofilms as a means of increasing their application and enhancing their performance in wastewater treatment. The paper lies at the intersection of several key areas of interest to many EBNet members, including those …
As if any more proof were needed of how topical Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are, a recent paper by Prof Jhuma Sadhukhan and colleagues presents a hybrid kinetic and machine learning (ML) model to predict PHA biosynthesis performance. The model combines ML with a dynamic, mass-balance and kinetic-based mechanistic approach to predict …
A recent report from UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) examines revisions to the European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment directive (UWWTD) and considers their implications for the UK water sector. The report comments that the revised UWWTD “…has the potential to be the largest step-change in wastewater treatment for member states …
Date: 29 Oct 2026 14:00 UK, online Don’t miss this webinar exploring current advances and emerging trends in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production. Dr Seongbong Heo will discuss research spanning mixed microbial cultures, waste-derived feedstocks, nutrient-decoupled and integrated production strategies, and data-driven approaches to PHA accumulation. The session will provide an accessible …
A colleague using AI for thematic analysis of some contributions by EBNet WG Leads noticed an interesting sub-heading: ‘Designed biology versus managed natural communities’. The distinction being made was apparently between microbially-mediated treatment systems based on synthetic biology, and those not involving genetically manipulated organisms or components. This is rather …
Congratulations to Dr Seongbong Heo and co-authors for their recent paper on enhancing PHA enrichment in granular sludges through control of settling strategies. This paper is an excellent example of several key issues and themes within EBNet: the importance of interactions between engineering-scale interventions and complex microbial systems; the need …
A piece in the latest issue of CIWEM’s The Environment magazine describes Scottish Water’s newly-upgraded Winchburg wastewater treatment works (WWTW). The upgrade was required both because the existing facility was reaching the end of its operational life, and as the local area is projected to experience significant growth over the …
A report covering EBNet’s main activities and outputs during our UKRI funding period is now up on the Resources page, under More EBNet reports. A bit later than originally planned, but brimming with information on our working groups, events and publications. The report is available in two formats, with a …
A recent review paper on methods of membrane fouling control and cleaning provides an excellent example of the need to consider physical and chemical technologies in conjunction with microbial treatment systems. Environmental biotechnologies not only require engineered systems to enable and maintain the microbially-mediated processes that drive them; these elements …
Planned outputs for the next few months include feedback from the fascinating Microenvironments workshop led by Dr Joe Weaver, then of Newcastle, now at Durham University. Journal papers in preparation or review include those based on a study of the implications of emerging biotech for bioreactor materials, and from the …
Dr Yongqiang Liu and colleagues in the Aerobic Granulation Processes WG have been working with water companies to take samples of granular sludge and conventional activated sludge (AS) from full-scale wastewater treatment plants in the UK. One aim of the study is to investigate the performance of granular sludge in …
A recent News item mentioned the potential for process intensification based on aerobic granular sludge (AGS) as a means of increasing the treatment capacity of wastewater facilities – a very hot topic given the poor performance of the UK water sector in this area. The main advantage of process intensification …
According to a BBC New item, a recent study by the Oxford Rivers Improvement Campaign (ORIC) indicates that more than half of the 351 wastewater treatment works operated by Thames Water could not handle the amount of sewage arriving. Thames Water sewage treatment works ‘cannot handle’ demand – BBC News …
Presentations from the webinar on Current and Future Directions in Aerobic Granular Sludge Systems are now available on EBNet’s YouTube channel – see here. The session includes two presentations, on Nereda‘s technical developments, experience of meeting current industry needs, and new developments regarding harvesting of biopolymers from granules; and on …
Date: 17-19 September 2025 Venue: IHE Delft, Netherlands This event aims to bring together researchers in microbial ecology and physiology, environmental biotechnology and engineering working in the emerging field of phototrophic aggregation. The conference will cover topics from fundamental research to innovative applications in wastewater treatment and ecosystem restoration. The conference …
