Water and Environmental Engineering Group

The Water and Environmental Engineering Group (WEEG) seek to improve the world we live in through engineering solutions. We bring a variety of fundamental disciplines and skills to our work in the following areas: 

• Bioenergy and Organic Resources Research Group (BORRG): Our work encompasses advanced aerobic granular systems and bioelectrochemical systems (Microbial Fuel Cells) for wastewater treatment and biological nutrient recovery; anaerobic digestion; new methods for removal of trace pollutants; and design and optimisation of micro-algal treatment systems. Key bioenergy topics include CO2 biomethanisation, biorefinery technologies and microbial fuel cells to support the creation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. 
• Environmental Hydraulics group: Our research includes low head hydropower, such as those in irrigation canals where the energy of the water is used to pump it onto fields higher than canal level or to generate electricity; environmental fluid dynamics to predict scour around bridge piers and offshore structures; transport and mixing of scalars in turbulent flows; mathematical modelling of open channel morphodynamics; and development of pioneering techniques in experimental fluid mechanics.
• International Centre for Eco-hydraulics Research (ICER): We conduct innovative cross-disciplinary research to quantify the potential environmental impacts of water and energy infrastructure in aquatic habitats, focusing primarily on sustainable fisheries management. We utilise both our own facilities and larger-scale field studies to quantify the response of fish to hydrodynamic and other environmental stimuli (such as acoustics and light) created by anthropogenic structures and activities.

More information on these three research areas can be found using the above links, including information such as news, facilities, videos, resources and detailed projects and publications.

You can also explore our selected projects and publications. If you are considering doing an MSc or PhD with us, investigate our postgraduate opportunities.  

If you are considering doing a PhD in one of our research areas, please contact:

• Water engineering: Prof Yannis Ieropoulos (Head of Group) or Dr Gustavo de Almeida
• Eco-hydraulics: Prof Paul Kemp
• Bioenergy and organic resources: Prof Yannis Ieropoulos, Dr Yongqiang Liu or Dr Yue Zhang