This Activities page is continuously updated to show developments and achievements on initiatives to meet our 10 defined key objectives. We encourage you to stop by often to keep up-to-date with the Association’s progress.

1
Sponsor and carry out research work to identify, define and quantify the genuine benefits derived from the post delivery treatment of municipal (mains) and private water supplies.
- April 2007£979k Softened Water Eczema Trial gets under way
  On the 1st April 2007 the UKWTA entered into a two-and-half-year-contract with Nottingham University to carry out a clinical field trial to quantify the health benefits of softened water against other treatments on childhood atopic eczema. The Softened Water Eczema Trial (SWET) is being administered by the Centre of Evidenced Based Dermatology at Nottingham University.
  
  The clinical trial, led by Professor Hywel Williams and Dr. Kim Thomas of the University of Nottingham, will compare the effect of softened water with normal eczema care, such as corticosteroid creams.
  
  The study will involve more than 310 children with moderate to severe eczema selected from four hard water regions in the UK: Nottingham/Leicester, Cambridge, North East London and the Isle of Wight. Each household, where the children live, will have a water softener installed for either a four or twelve-week period. Their eczema will be assessed at regular intervals with night scratching movements recorded by a special wristwatch.
  
  The trial will span a two-and-half year period with £862k of funding support provided by the Department of Health and £117k to be contributed by companies in the water treatment industry.
  
  The UKWTA is currently actively raising the industry sponsorship and site surveys and softener installations are being carried out by engineers from member companies European Watercare Limited on mainland UK, and MG Heating on the Isle of Wight.
  
  A positive outcome from the trial would be a substantive health benefit claim from softener installation which could potentially result in softeners being prescribed to help treat severe cases. For detailed information visit www.swet-trial.co.uk
- December 2007Softened Water Eczema Field Trial (SWET) Update
  Softened Water Eczema Field Trial (SWET) Update
  
  2007 has been an extremely busy year for the SWET team. 4 Research Nurses were appointed in March/April and the first participant was recruited in May. To date over 50 installations have been completed in study centres in Cambridge, North East London, Nottingham and the Isle of White with a study centre in Leicester due to be added shortly.
  
  Link: Download SWET Issue 1 (2007)
  
  Link: Press Release from Nottingham University
  
  Link: BBC News article
2
Lobby and inform Government, regulatory bodies, consumers and industry of the economic, environmental, health and aesthetic benefits that treating water can deliver.
- October 2005Effect of limescale on energy efficiency presented to Government
  Representatives of water treatment companies met with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to present a case for inclusion for the provision water treatment to prevent limescale in hard water areas.
  Evidence from measurements of boiler efficiency conducted at approved laboratories was used demonstrate that the efficiency of high efficiency boilers was typically educed by 5.6% after just a few weeks in service due to hard water limescale build-up.
- May 2006Requirement for water treatment to prevent limescale published
  The Domestic Heating Compliance Guide has been published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The document provides guidance on minimum requirements for compliance with the Building Regulations, Part L for conventional space heating systems and hot water service systems in dwellings.
  
  For gas-fired, oil-fired, electric and solid-fuel primary and secondary space heating and hot water systems, the minimum provision for new systems in new and existing dwellings now specifies treatment of the feed water to water heaters and the hot water circuit of combination boilers to reduce limescale build-up.
  
  Get the: Domestic Heating Compliance Guide in PDF format. (please let us have any comments on this document)
- Jan 2007WRAS Information Booklet - Softeners
  At the request of WRAS, UKWTA has drafted a guidance booklet providing advice and guidance on the correct procedures for the Information for Installation of Ion Exchange Water Softeners in Residential Applications. Previously, softeners were only mentioned as footnote in other WRAS publications.
  
  Get the: WRAS Information Document
3
Increase the knowledge, understanding and competence of operatives (stakeholders) in the water treatment industry through the development and delivery of appropriate Training Schemes (Competent Persons Certification), Standards and Codes of Best Practice.
- Jun 2007Information and Guidance Note (Installation of Ion Exchange Water Softeners) prepared for WRAS published.
  Get the: WRAS Information and Guidance Publication
4
Contribute to the development of Standards and Codes of Conduct (with Warranty-backed Schemes) to deliver confidence in the performance of members’ water treatment products.
- Dec 2005BS EN 14743:2005 Standard for Softeners published
  Technical representatives (now members of UKWTA) contributed to the development of a European Standard regarding the requirements for performance, safety and testing of automatic, salt-regenerated, cation exchange softeners for drinking water installations inside buildings which are permanently connected to the mains supply.
- Jan 2006BS EN 14652:2005 Standard for Membranes (RO units) published
  Technical representatives (now members of UKWTA) contributed to the development of a European Standard regarding the requirements for performance, safety and testing of membrane separation systems with a particle rating below 1μm, namely: microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis for drinking water installations inside buildings.
- April 2006BS 7593:2006 Standard : Code of Practice for Treatment of Water in Domestic Hot Water Central Heating Systems Published
  Technical representatives (now members of UKWTA) chaired the Committee and contributed to the up-date of the Standard originally published in 1992. Amendments now allow the use of softened water in heating systems provided an appropriate corrosion inhibitor is added; cleanser and an inhibitor should be used in the initial commissioning or systems re-commissioning (after boiler change) procedure to comply. This document is a draft, if you have any comments - please contact us.
  
  Get the: British Water / UKWTA Industry Standard Specification
5
Provide a central industry focal point delivering a service providing advice and technical assistance on matters relating to water treatment.
- October 2007 Consumer helpline planned
  More on this coming soon.
6
Produce a comprehensive web-based map of water quality across the UK with look-up facility to assist persons wishing to establish the water quality in their local area.
- November 2007 Data is being collated and more information will be available soon.
  Please check back soon for more information.
7
Approach and work with the appropriate Government Offices and Committees to obtain recognition (branding) of limescale reduction devices and chemicals as energy saving products, and lobby to achieve a reduction in VAT from 17.5% to 5% as for other energy efficient products.
- June 2007A formal approach has been made to the Energy Saving Trust...
  A formal approach has been made to the Energy Saving Trust to brand products which meet performance criteria defined by British Standards as Energy Saving and to achieve a reduction in VAT from 17.5% to 5% as for other energy efficient products.
8
Establish the industry position and help resolve the controversy concerning the health and safety issues regarding the suitability of demineralised and softened (treated) water for drinking.
9
Resolve the controversy regarding the corrosivity of naturally soft and artificially softened waters.
10
Engage, partner and collaborate with other National, European and International Trade Bodies to develop and promote water treatment Standards, Regulations, Directives and Best Practice Procedures.
- March 2007UKWTA Technical Director appointed to Board of WQA
  During proceedings at the Annual General Meeting of the Water Quality Association (WQA) on 28th March at the WQA Aquatech Convention in Florida, Tony Frost, Secretary and Technical Director of the UKWTA, was appointed International Director to the Board for a three-year term. Based in Illinois, USA, the WQA has over 2,500 member companies and represents water treatment company interests across the breadth of water industry. For more information on WQA visit www.wqa.org

This Activities page is continuously updated to show developments and achievements on initiatives to meet our 10 defined key objectives. We encourage you to stop by often to keep up-to-date with the Association’s progress.

Softened Water Eczema Field Trial (SWET) Update