The good news is that water pollution caused by nitrates has decreased in Europe over the past two decades.  However, agricultural pressures are still putting water resources under strain.  The latest Report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive reveals that nitrates concentrations are slightly decreasing in both surface and groundwater and sustainable agricultural practices...

The 2012 report, “Review of California’s Water Recycling Criteria for Agricultural Irrigation,” was developed in response to increased interest in expanding the amount of recycled water used for agricultural purposes.  It specifically addressed the risk of exposure and infection from waterborne pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium and E. coli, due to the irrigation of a wide variety of food crops using recycled water. Key...

In our experience, water is one of the most expensive resources to businesses to which they pay the least attention. Quite often the water bill is only received or reviewed 1 – 2 times per annum and signed off as “just one of those things we have to pay”. ECOS have worked with many businesses...

Our Clients are SME and multi-national businesses who strive to achieve their specific corporate and regulatory needs relating to Water, Waste and Wastewater. Client needs vary from business to business and could relate to legal requirements to comply with permits and licences associated with virtually all activities relating to Waste and Wastewater or cost and...

The LIFE+ Information and Communication project RESTORE (LIFE09 INF/UK/000032) has published a new guide to river restoration called Rivers by Design. The guide is aimed at planners, developers, architects and landscape architects and seeks to show them how to maximise the benefits of river restoration in development projects. It explains the context and need for river restoration, illustrating how...

The UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate initiative announced the release of its Corporate Water Disclosure Guidelines providing a common approach to corporate water disclosure. Corporate water disclosure involves Collecting data on the current state of a company’s water management Assessing the implications of this information for the business, developing a strategic response Reporting this information...

Have you ever wondered about the difference between Spring Water, Mineral Water, Sparkling Water and Tap Water. Directive 2003/40/EC established the list, concentration limits and labeling requirements for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters. The directive was enabled...

On 17 December 2012, the EU’s Environment Ministers adopted conclusions setting out key actions to improve governance by those involved in managing water resources Improving land use Addressing water pollution Increasing water efficiency and resilience. The conclusions are the Council’s first response to the recent Commission communication“A blueprint to safeguard Europe’s water resources” and underline...

Quite often in wastewater treatment, problems arise where basic checks and balances have been overlooked or not acted upon. This basic guide for the operation, management and monitoring of the activated sludge process addresses fundamental issues which can mitigate against problems arising or assist in their resolution – saving time and money. Mass Balances It...

Directive 2006/118/EC  on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration was implemented in Ireland by S.I. No.9 of 2010 – European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010. The directive establishes a regime which sets underground water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. The directive establishes quality criteria that takes...