The UK water industry is facing unprecedented pressure to clean up its act. Years of underinvestment, mounting pollution scandals and growing public outrage have forced the government to step in with sweeping restructurings. From the planned ending of Ofwat to new mandates for real-time sewage spill reporting, the message has never been clearer: water quality can no longer be compromised.
While much of the focus has been on improving treatment processes and expanding infrastructure, one critical aspect is still often overlooked, the way treated water is stored and protected. Even the most advanced treatment systems can’t guarantee water safety if storage tanks are left uncovered, exposed to contamination, or poorly maintained.
At EWFM, we understand that safeguarding water quality means going beyond treatment. It’s about protecting that water at every stage, especially during storage. Our range of water treatment equipment are designed to do just that: preserve the integrity of water, reduce risk, and help utilities meet evolving regulatory standards.
The Push for Reform: What’s Changing in the UK
Water companies across the UK are facing a major shift, not just in how they operate, but in how they’re held accountable. At the centre of this transformation is the planned replacement Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority. For over 30 years, Ofwat has over seen water companies in England and Wales, setting price limits and ensuring service standards. But after years of criticism over sewage spills, underinvestment, and weak enforcement, the government is moving to create a new, centralised regulator with stronger powers and clearer environmental oversight.
Alongside structural reform, tougher rules are being introduced. Since January 2025, companies must report sewage overflows hourly, with full monitoring of emergency outlets required by 2035. These changes aim to improve transparency and push utilities to act fast on pollution and infrastructure issues.
The government is also backing reform with nearly £96 billion in investment between now and 2030. This funding is targeted at modernising treatment systems, reducing pollution, and tackling contaminants like PFAS and microplastics. But has regulations tighten, focus is also sifting to a critical, often overlooked area: how treated water is stored and protected before it reaches the public.
The Overlooked Link: Storage and Containment
While treatment technologies often centre stage in the conversation around water quality, how that treated water is stored can have just as much impact on compliance and safety. Across the UK, many treatment facilities still rely on open tanks, lagoons, or again reservoirs, leaving clean water exposed to a range of risks.
These include:
- Algae growth from sunlight exposure
- Wildlife contamination
- Airborne pollutants like dust, debris, or chemicals
- Temperature fluctuations that can affect water chemistry
Left unprotected, these storage systems can quickly become points of secondary contamination, undermining the entire treatment process. This is why regulators and operators alike now placing greater emphasis on containment, covering, and protection systems. Whether it’s final storage tank, a clarifier, or a temporary holding unit, securing these areas is critical to maintaining water quality from treatment to tap.
How EWFM Helps Protect Water Quality
At EWFM, we offer a specialised range of water treatment and storage protection products, engineered to maintain water integrity both during and after treatment. Each product is built with precision, durability, and compliance in mind—helping our customers meet rising environmental standards and reduce risk throughout the water management process.
- Floating Decanter Arm: Used in settling tanks or clarifiers, the Floating Decanter Arm is designed to remove clarified water or effluent from the top layer of the tank, ensuring efficient separation and reducing the risk of contamination.
- Geodesic Tank Dome: A lightweight, corrosion-resistant domed cover constructed from aluminium alloy. It prevents rainwater ingress, vapour loss, and UV degradation—while meeting both API 650 and Eurocode structural standards.
- Tank Cover: A durable floating roof system designed to cover residual water storage tanks. It forms an effective barrier that eliminates odours, reduces emissions, and prevents contamination from debris, wildlife, and sunlight exposure.
- Tank Corr: A corrugated cover system specifically designed for water applications such as sandblasting tanks and decanters. It provides an environmentally friendly solution by minimising gas release and controlling odours.
- Tank Baffle: A smooth, corrosion-resistant deflector screen that improves fluid flow control within water installations, ideal for guiding or redirecting flow in decanters and treatment tanks.
As the UK water industry moves through rapid reform and tighter regulations, protecting water quality at every stage, especially during storage, has never been more important. At EWFM, we’re here to support you with proven solutions that help reduce contamination, control emissions, and maintain compliance. If you need advice on the right equipment to safeguard your water, get in touch, our team is ready to help.
Tel : +44 (0) 1763 248650
Email : sales@ewfm.co.uk
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