SBRI: point-of-use water treatment for organic-rich surface water

The aim of this competition is to fund up to 5 feasibility studies to explore the development of a point-of-use (POU) water treatment system. It must consistently deliver water from high organic surface waters with no risk to human health. It must also be cost effective and low maintenance.

Scotland has more than 10,000 water supplies that serve only one household. It has another 20,000 supplies that serve a population of fewer than 50 people. The performance and capabilities of household drinking water treatment technology vary depending on the quality of the incoming raw water.

Most of these supplies are served by surface waters high in organic matter. There is no reliable household solution on the market for treating this sort of water. Current technology is either too expensive or requires a lot of maintenance.

This competition seeks R&D of innovative solutions for point-of-use water treatment systems. These systems must consistently turn high organic surface waters into drinking water compliant with regulations. The output must pose no risk to human health and be produced in a way that is cost effective and low maintenance.

Recent trials of commercially available systems have shown they require heavy maintenance and have poor reliability. None of the technologies tested performed well under high organic loading.

2 situations have been identified that would benefit from the successful solution:

1. Supplying rural, dispersed and remote island communities.
2. Supporting safe water for Scotland’s private water supplies.

Systems must be simple, easy for the general public to understand and operate, and be easy to maintain. A good comparison is the level of maintenance required and reliability of a new, good quality gas boiler.

Solutions must:

• meet the quality standards set out in ‘The water intended for human consumption (private supplies) (Scotland) regulations 2017’
• be affordable
• close the water loop by recycling rain and grey water
• provide a complete treatment from source to tap
• be automated

Ideally solutions will allow remote monitoring and operation.

Applications must have at least 50% of the contract value attributed directly and exclusively to R&D services. R&D can cover solution exploration and design. It can also include prototyping and field testing the product or service. R&D does not include:

• commercial development activities such as quantity production
• supply to establish commercial viability or to recover R&D costs
• integration, customisation or incremental adaptations and improvements to existing products or processes

Eligibility 

To lead a project, you must:

• be an organisation of any size
• work alone or with others as subcontractors (businesses, research base and third sector)
  be able to test your solution in Inverness, Scotland

Funding and project details

The competition will be split into 2 phases.

Phase 1: Research and development (R&D) feasibility study contract

Feasibility study for a point-of-use treatment system resulting in:

• a technical and commercial specification
• a detailed design package

A total of up to £150k is allocated to phase 1. It is anticipated that the feasibility study R&D contracts will be in the region of up to £30k for each project for up to 6 months.

Phase 2: R&D prototype and testing contracts

Prototype development and testing resulting in installation at the Gorthleck Development Centre.

A total of up to £300k is allocated to phase 2. R&D.

The decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1. Only successful applicants from phase 1 will be able to take part in phase 2.

Project types

Projects should focus on 3 elements.

1. A technical design specification package. Include all detailed technical specifications for your solution and a detailed design package.
2. A commercial or financial specification. Give the full investment required, including equipment, installation, yearly maintenance and the plan.
3. R&D methodology and the final report. Outline all R&D undertaken and give evidence your solution can meet our requirements. Confirm the equipment complies with all UK and European standards, codes of practice and directives.