Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath)

WIRC provides a unique environment to engage globally in research and policy on water technologies and resource management.

Our centre

Find information about our eight research themes, how to study with us or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Water Innovation & Research Centre research themes

A visual representation of the interaction between Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath) research themes.

Our interconnected research themes are aligned to the key challenges faced by the water sector.

Study with Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC) at Bath

Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath) offers a variety of options for study and research.

Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC) newsletter sign up form

Subscribe to the Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath) mailing list to keep updated with news and events from the Centre.

Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC): our people

Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath) unites people from a variety of disciplines under the umbrella of water research.

News

Read the latest water-related news from the Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath).

Young Professionals address water security challenges in their sub-Saharan cities

A group photo of the workshop participants.

With Africa’s population set to double by 2050, WIRC researchers are helping to train young professionals to meet water security challenges.

Hot spot areas for new woodland in England

Hot spot areas for planting new woodland in England.

Mathematical models are helping Natural England identify the most beneficial places to plant 10,000 hectares of new woodland.

WIRC researchers try out “The Wave” on a fact-finding mission

An aerial photo of The Wave, an inland surf centre near Bristol.

A group of researchers from the University of Bath were invited for an exploratory visit to The Wave, a new inland surf centre near Bristol.

IMI develops AI to map marine environments

AI generated map of an underwater environment

Working with SEA Ltd., we have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm which could improve how we monitor our marine territories.

Harnessing the sun to bring fresh water to remote or disaster-struck communities

A device that takes a novel approach to removing salt from water has been developed in Bath, paving the way for small, solar-powered desalination units

Research visit to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK-CEH)

Andy Barnes, a WISE CDT student, spent three months at UK-CEH using machine learning techniques to study atmospheric conditions behind extreme rainfall events.

Case studies

There are a variety of exciting water-related projects happening within the Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath).

Reducing Energy Dependency in Atlantic area Water Networks (REDAWN)

REDAWN aims to improve the energy efficiency of water networks through the installation of innovative micro-hydropower technology.

ReNEW - Towards a Public Health Early Warning System via Urban Water Profiling

ReNEW proposes an innovative solution to public health problems and environmental conditions in fast-developing urban environments in LMIC countries.

Dynamic Coastal Protection: Resilience of Dynamic Revetments Under SLR (DynaRev)

Waves impacting the revetment tested in the large scale flume

Researchers aim to construct a prototype-scale beach and investigate the response of the beach to a rising sea level and storms.

Foamed Anodic Metal Membranes for Photocatalytic Water Treatment

Professor Davide Mattia researching porous metal oxide foams

We aim to develop porous metal oxide foams for use in the photocatalytic removal of water pollutants & establish photocatalysis as a water treatment technology.

Water Monitoring in Colombian Vulnerable Communities in a Post-Conflict Scenario

Elena Bernalte Morgado taking a water sample of a river in Colombia.

This project seeks to develop and test an affordable, portable and user-friendly integrated multisensor system for water quality monitoring in Colombia.

Towards a Next Generation of Water Systems and Services for the Circular Economy (NextGen)

Water running through a water treatment plant.

The project will look at demonstrating technologies with a potential to contribute to reuse and recovery of resources within a perspective of circular economy.

Publications

Read our publications that highlight the life-changing research carried out at Bath.

Are cobbles key to protecting our coasts?

Academics are exploring how better understanding the make-up of natural composite beaches and new dynamic protection techniques could keep coastal areas safe.

Big data goes down the plughole to fight future public health threats

Scientists at the University of Bath are developing new ways of monitoring public health at home and in low-income countries by analysing wastewater.

Water Innovation & Research Centre (WIRC) brochure

Learn more about the Water Innovation and Research Centre in our brochure, covering our research by theme as well as details on how to work and study with us.

Upcoming events

We organise water-related events regularly on campus. All of our events are free and open to all.

Research RendezVous: Water & the consequences of climate change

8 Apr 2020 2.00pm Online

Hear from an interdisciplinary group of researchers in this first Research Rendezvous organised by GW4 Water Security Alliance.

GW4 WSA PHD CON2020: Knowledge Flow – Building Bridges between Science & Community

29 Sep 2020 10.00am Waterfront Meeting Rooms, Bristol

PhD students from across the GW4 with GW4 Water Security Alliance (WSA) and The Flow Partnership are leading an exciting new conference in Bristol.

Memberships

The Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC@Bath) is a silver member of Watershare and a member of SWIG.

Watershare - expert tools for the water sector.

SWIG - Sensors for Water Interest Group

WIF - Water Industry Forum

Water Europe Technology & Innovation

GW4 Water Security Alliance (WSA)

About us

The centre comprises multidisciplinary research teams, with wide expertise in the natural sciences and engineering, as well as in social, economics and political sciences, in policy, and in business management.

Contact us

Get in touch if you want to discuss water research.