World Water Day: From hidden pollution to sea swimming – University of Brighton research on water quality, wellbeing, and access

Held annually since 1993, World Water Day celebrates the importance of freshwater and raises awareness of the 2.1 billion people worldwide who lack access to safe drinking water. The day also supports global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.

At the University of Brighton, researchers across environmental science, microbiology, geography, and social sciences research are working to build a more complete picture of how water shapes ecosystems, supports human health, and sustains communities – and how we can protect it for the future.

Dr Sarah Purnell

From monitoring water quality and studying emerging environmental pollutants to exploring the health benefits of blue spaces and ensuring inclusive access to natural environments, their work underscores the university’s commitment to driving solutions for the world’s most urgent global challenges.

Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange), said: “Water shapes every part of our lives – from the health of our communities to the ecosystems around us. Our research combines science, social understanding, and local knowledge to find solutions that protect both people and the planet.”

Tracking pollution to protect rivers and public health

Environmental microbiologist Dr Sarah Purnell specialises in water quality and microbial pollution, developing new methods to identify contamination in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

Working alongside colleagues including Professor James Ebdon, and partners from several UK universities and the Environment Agency, she is part of a Natural Environment Research Council-funded project developing a portable diagnostic tool that uses advanced DNA sequencing to trace sources of human pollution in water.

The research focuses on bacteriophages – viruses naturally found in the human gut – which can act as indicators of faecal contamination in water bodies used for drinking supplies and recreation. By analysing these viral signatures directly in the field, the technology could transform water quality monitoring.

Dr Corina Ciocan

Dr Catherine Kelly

Dr Purnell said: “Understanding where pollution comes from is essential if we want to protect both ecosystems and public health. By developing faster and more accurate ways to detect contamination, we can give regulators and water managers the information they need to respond more quickly and prevent harm.”

Investigating emerging pollutants in rare freshwater ecosystems

Marine biologist Dr Corina Ciocan specialises in the ecology and conservation of freshwater and coastal environments, with a particular focus on emerging pollutants affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Her recent research on the River Itchen – one of England’s rare chalk streams – has revealed widespread contamination from microscopic fibres and plastic particles. Citizen scientists working with researchers detected microfibre pollution at every site sampled in spring 2025.

Her work also contributes to international citizen science projects investigating microfibreglass pollution from abandoned boats, involving students and coastal communities in monitoring marine pollution and collecting environmental data.

Dr Ciocan said: “Our rivers and seas are facing a growing range of emerging pollutants, many of which are too small to see but can still have significant ecological impacts. By identifying and tracking these particles we can build a clearer picture of the pressures affecting aquatic ecosystems and help inform the actions needed to protect them.”

Understanding the wellbeing benefits of water

Geographer and wellbeing practitioner, Dr Catherine Kelly, researches how natural water environments can support health and wellbeing. Her work focuses on “blue spaces” – rivers, lakes and seas – and how they function as therapeutic landscapes, supporting physical activity, reducing stress and strengthening social connections.

Sadie Rockliffe

Working with the Environment Agency’s national Blue Space Forum, she has also examined equalities of access to water environments and how policy and community initiatives could help make these spaces contribute to the wellbeing of all.

Dr Kelly said: “Water environments can play a powerful role in supporting health and wellbeing, but the benefits of blue spaces are not always distributed equally. Research helps us understand how policy, planning and community initiatives can ensure more people are able to access coastal and freshwater spaces to improve their own wellbeing and that of the natural environment itself. Reciprocal care for water and humans is an essential relationship”

Making water environments safer and more inclusive

PhD researcher Sadie Rockliffe explores how coastal and freshwater environments can be made more accessible so that more people can safely enjoy time in the water.

Her work focuses particularly on swimmers with visual impairments and on the wider social and environmental barriers that influence who feels confident entering rivers, lakes and the sea.

Through collaborations with organisations including the Beach Access Project and the Blue Space Forum, her research is helping inform discussions around accessible infrastructure, safer entry points and inclusive swimming programmes.

Rockliffe said: “Water environments can offer powerful experiences of wellbeing, community and connection with nature. But those benefits depend on people feeling safe and welcome in these spaces. Research can help identify the barriers people face and support practical changes that make blue spaces more inclusive for everyone.”

As global pressures on water resources continue to grow – from pollution and climate change to rising demand for access to natural spaces – this work highlights the importance of integrated research that connects environmental protection, public health and community engagement.

Through collaboration with policymakers, environmental organisations and local communities, University of Brighton researchers hope their work will help inform practical solutions that protect water environments while ensuring more people can safely benefit from them.