Microenvironments can be defined as localised zones with chemical, biological or physical characteristics that differ significantly from those of the larger-scale surrounding environment. Because microbes respond primarily to these immediate conditions, microenvironments strongly influence the performance of microbially-based systems. Understanding and controlling these influences is essential for engineering improved systems. …
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 warm welcome for two new papers related to the work of EBNet’s Water Biofilms WG and to wider aspects of Theme 2. The first is a review of factors affecting removal of Cryptosporidium and other protozoal oocysts in slow sand filtration (SSF). Removal rates vary widely, and the review …
More good science, good engineering, and good news coming out of the ongoing programme of work on slow sand filtration (SSF) by Dr Francis Hassard and colleagues at Cranfield and Thames Water. The latest paper on their new underwater cleaning technique reports improved removal of Cryptosporidium oocysts in comparison with …
There has recently been a strong and very welcome resurgence of interest in biofilters as a powerful and sustainable water treatment technology. Examples include outputs from EBNet’s Water Biofilms WG, and funding awards for the SandSCAPE project and for the EPSRC Network+ Better Water 4 All, as well as ongoing …
Continuing a theme from a recent post on Microbial ecology and drinking water biofiltration, two papers below are well worth a look. They are on linked topics and are published in conference proceedings, with full papers on the way: so a thought-provoking taster for what is to come. Prof Cindy …
Deadline: 26 Aug 2026 Biofilm technologies are evolving from classical wastewater treatment tools into platform processes for resource recovery, waste valorisation, and circular bioeconomy applications. Once viewed as passive systems, biofilms are now being designed to recover nutrients, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-derived biopolymers, and other valuable resources from complex effluents. …
A recent study in Water Research examining microbiomes in water filtration is central to the theme of our Water Biofilms WG, and to EBNet’s ongoing interest in complex microbial ecosystems that prevent or remediate pollution and protect public health. Prof Cindy Smith, a key figure in the University of Glasgow …
The Better Water for All Network+, led by Dr Bing Guo of the University of Surrey, was successfully launched on 3 Oct 2025 in an event that brought stakeholders together to discuss how we can achieve a sustainable water future and tackle the challenges of chemical and biological micropollutants. The …
For some summer holiday entertainment, why not try this game on friends and family? Think you’ve got what it takes to save a city’s water supply from a major pollution event? Step into our virtual escape room, Contamination Crisis, and race against the clock to crack 10 water science and …
A recent UKWIR report aims to evaluate alternatives to traditional water treatment, in particular the effectiveness of low or non-chemical treatments that could replace conventional clarification processes. The research considers a variety of systems with different benefits, and emphasises that each may have advantages in different conditions. Ceramic membranes and …
Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge 5 has awarded almost £2M to fund the SandSCAPE project which will trial robotic underwater skimming machines as a way to clean slow sand filters (SSF) without draining them of water. This novel approach preserves the unique biology of the system, improving performance and resilience, and …
Congratulations to Dr Francis Hassard, the Water Biofilms WG Lead, and his colleagues on two recent papers describing novel advances in slow sand filtration (SSF). The technology also features in the WG’s animation Innovation in SSF: A sustainable solution for clean water. A subtitled version is available here. For an …
Dr Francis Hassard, the Lead of EBNet’s Water Biofilms Working Group, is keen to hear the sector’s views on how slow sand filters (SSF) can keep pace with tomorrow’s drinking-water challenges. On 22 January 2025, EBNet brought together researchers, utilities and regulators at the Royal Society of Chemistry, London to …
Following our summer call for animation ideas to illustrate EBNet’s Microbiology/Engineering Interactions Theme, we now have 3 new videos to enjoy on YouTube. Our thanks to Dr Hemaka Bandulasena, Loughborough University, Dr Francis Hassard, Cranfield University and Dr Yue Zhang, University of Southampton for working with Senate Media to create these. Want …
