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
- WARM demonstrator: Turning wastewater into a renewable energy opportunity
June 2, 2026
WARM demonstrator: Turning wastewater into a renewable energy opportunity
The WARM demonstrator (Waste to Advanced Renewable-energy Microgrid) represents the latest stage of innovation emerging from the Decentralised Water Technologies (DWT) programme at the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with Scottish Water. Led by Professor Bill Sloan and Dr Tania Gomez, the project focuses on developing a mobile demonstrator capable of recovering energy from domestic ...
- EPSRC Off-Grid Water Technologies Plenary Meeting – 18 May 2026
May 19, 2026
EPSRC Off-Grid Water Technologies Plenary Meeting – 18 May 2026
The EPSRC Off-Grid Water Technologies Plenary Meeting, held at the University of Glasgow on 18 May 2026, brought together researchers, industry partners and policy stakeholders to share progress and discuss challenges in delivering sustainable off-grid water solutions. The event was opened by Professor Bill Sloan (University of Glasgow). Presentations covered key themes including water challenges ...
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