Advancing circular economy in water utilities to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and environmental protection -NERC DLA TREES STUDENTSHIP

Water utilities play a vital role in safeguarding public health by delivering clean drinking water and treating wastewater to prevent pollution and maintain the integrity of freshwater systems. The traditional linear approach to the urban water cycle—where water is abstracted, treated, distributed, consumed, collected, treated again, and finally disposed of—has become unsustainable. Over the past decade, water utilities have increasingly adopted the Circular Economy (CE) principles, integrating them into their business strategies. This shift is driven by regulatory requirements and the growing recognition of the economic and environmental benefits of CE practices. However, the sector's transition towards CE is still at an early stage and is identified as a key contributor to pollution in freshwater systems. This research proposes the development of a Circularity-Extended Input-Output (CEIO) assessment tool. This tool will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the water management processes, systematically tracking the transformation of inputs (e.g., raw water, pollutants) into outputs (e.g., treated water, materials, services) and assessing environmental externalities (e.g., pollutants discharged into rivers, soil contamination from sludge applications). By leveraging the CEIO tool, water companies will be better equipped to optimise resource use, address pollution at source and restore natural ecosystems, in line with CE principles. Over the past decade, water utilities have increasingly adopted the Circular Economy (CE) principles, integrating them into their business strategies. This shift is driven by regulatory requirements and the growing recognition of the economic and environmental benefits of CE practices, such as achieving net-zero targets, reducing pollution and fostering green growth. However, the sector's transition towards CE is still at an early stage. To accelerate this transformation, this research proposes developing a Circularity-Extended Input-Output (CEIO) assessment tool. The CEIO tool will provide a comprehensive analysis of the water extraction, distribution, and management system components and evaluate their circularity potential by systematically tracking the transformation of inputs (e.g., raw water, pollutants) into outputs (e.g., treated water, materials, services). The tool will empower utilities to develop effective CE strategies, ensuring the sustainability of their operations and environmental protection.

A tailored training plan will be co-developed with you as the prospective PhD candidate based on your background and prior experience, ensuring you acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this interdisciplinary project. The training will include: One-to-One Instruction: Delivered by the supervisory team, covering topics such as water management systems, Circular Economy (CE) principles, systems mapping tools, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Material Flow Analyses (MFA) and programming languages. Additionally, you will receive training on designing and facilitating workshops with industry stakeholders. CASE Partner Training: You will work with a Water Utility, benefiting from hands-on experience and guidance from industry experts to understand real-world applications of frameworks and tools used by water utilities. Working closely with their staff, you will be receiving direct feedback to ensure the research remains industry-relevant. Access to Brunel’s Graduate School training, including systematic literature reviews, academic writing skills, referencing.

 

Eligibility

You must hold, or be expected to achieve, a first or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent (for example BA, BSc, MSci) or a Master's degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biosciences, Analytical Science, Ecotoxicology etc). Prior experience in data analysis/visualisation, machine learning and/or analytical chemistry would be beneficial for this project. Candidates that have a relevant background in maths and/or data analytics that would like to develop biological knowledge, and analytical chemistry skills will also be suitable for this position. For further information on eligibility please refer to the TREES website.

How to apply

Enquiries email name and address:

TREES.Admissions@ucl.ac.uk

Application Web Page:

https://www.trees-dla.ac.uk/apply

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Theodoros Giakoumis - I am an environmental scientist with background in natural resources management, environmental technology and policy. My research focuses on applying systems thinking to address complex environmental problems, formulating evidence-based methodologies to enhance decision-making and facilitate the effective implementation of environmental policies. Before joining Brunel, I was a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London working in the NERC funded project “Defining the AMR Burden of Antimicrobial Manufacturing Waste in Puducherry and Chennai” (2019 - 2023) and in several Anglian Water funded projects (2018 - 2023) on the operation of the company’s Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), the contaminants and risks associated with their discharges at receiving waters. During my doctoral research (2015 - 2019), I investigated strategies to adapt EU water policy and management to minimize the ecological and socio-economic consequences of water scarcity and ongoing global change. This research was conducted as part of the GLOBAQUA project, funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme.
Eleni Iacovidou - My research focuses on sustainable solutions for resource and waste management, with a strong emphasis on circular economy strategies and sustainability assessment. I use a systems thinking approach (CVORR) to understand environmental challenges holistically and to identify points where practical interventions can generate the greatest value and impact. By considering not only environmental and engineering aspects but also social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions, my work highlights the multidimensional value of resource recovery systems. This approach helps create solutions that are technically sound, socially inclusive, and supportive of a faster transition to sustainability. My research is primarily desktop-based and centres on five key areas: Plastic and plastic packaging systems – assessing sustainable pathways to circularity Textiles management – advancing prevention and reuse in a sustainable society Food waste management – addressing challenges for sustainable consumption and recovery Construction components – promoting reuse and modular structures Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) – repair, reuse, and circular strategies In addition, I examine the effects of technological and regulatory lock-ins, the role of stakeholders in sustainability transitions, and the impacts of informal recycling systems on society and the environment. I am also exploring how waste infrastructure can be tailored to area-specific contexts and how smart technologies can enable product and component tracking across the value chain. The ultimate goal of my research is to provide systemic and integrated sustainability assessments that support evidence-based policymaking, guide industry innovation, and foster academic collaboration. By applying systems thinking, I aim to reduce material leakage, extend product lifespans, and enhance resource efficiency, shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.