Innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) technology is vital to protect vital water assets from invasive species, says Fraser Morgan, Infrastructure Sector Expert and Senior Account Manager, NatureMetrics.
Water providers have, historically, been held to a tight set of rules-based regulations that aim to limit environmental impact and ensure both competition and access to water supply. Recent legislation, such as the Water (Special Measures) Bill, has introduced even stricter measures, granting regulators new powers to ban bonus payments if environmental standards are not met. Additionally, the Environment Agency plans to significantly increase inspections, targeting 11,500 by 2026/27.
These regulatory changes aim to drive fundamental transformation in the sector, with a heightened focus on mitigating environmental damage. Given the UK’s status as one of the most nature-depleted nations globally, this renewed emphasis on sustainability is both urgent and necessary.
The critical connection between water quality and invasive species
Safe and clean water and the state of biodiversity in the UK are inextricably linked. Maintaining good water quality is crucial for preserving aquatic biodiversity, which in turn helps sustain healthy ecosystems and improve quality through natural processes. Nature loss exacerbates water challenges by impairing these critical ecosystem functions, which can degrade water quality, disrupt availability, and increase vulnerability to extreme weather events.
One of the major contributors to this decline is the presence of invasive species. These nonnative organisms not only threaten native species but also disrupt ecosystem balance, posing significant challenges to water management infrastructure and increasing costs for water companies.
Globally, the UN estimates the annual economic toll of invasive species at $423 billion, a figure that has surged 400% per decade since 1970 and is expected to rise further in the coming years. In the UK alone, invasive species cost the economy £4 billion annually.
While water quality has been at the forefront of the sector’s agenda due to numerous water contamination issues, invasive species are a growing problem that demands attention. Beyond economic losses, these organisms degrade water quality, destabilise riverbeds, and disrupt water treatment processes–leading to flooding, reduced water availability, and increased costs. Traditional methods like traps, dredging, and manual surveys are expensive, time-consuming, and often species-specific, limiting their effectiveness for comprehensive tracking. Moreover, these methods require significant labour and pose health and safety risks for water companies.
Harnessing innovative technologies to address invasive species
The introduction of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology into mainstream practices has completely transformed how invasive species are detected and monitored in 2024. Unlike traditional methods, eDNA techniques – like qPCR and eDNA metabarcoding – enable water companies to identify species through traces of genetic material left behind in the environment. This approach is faster, more comprehensive, and less invasive.
qPCR tests are designed to detect the genetic material of a specific species. However, they often require prior knowledge of which nonnative species might be present, limiting their effectiveness for early detection.
To address this challenge, eDNA metabarcoding provides a broader analysis, identifying multiple species from a single sample and delivering a complete picture of the ecosystem. By combining qPCR with eDNA metabarcoding, water companies can detect invasive species at much lower population levels than traditional surveys. This allows for timely intervention, preventing invasive organisms from becoming established and helping conserve economically and ecologically important species.
Integrating eDNA into existing water analysis systems offers a practical solution for monitoring biodiversity and invasive species. Current water quality testing already includes analyses of inorganic, organic, microbiological, and physical parameters throughout the treatment and distribution network. Adding broad biodiversity monitoring would enable companies to track key species alongside these parameters, creating a more holistic view of ecosystem health.
For example, if reservoirs are affected by nonnative species, then the water within them cannot be used as it could contaminate other clean water sources and further promote the spread of these invasive alien organisms, depleting our water sources even more. The use of routine eDNA testing would provide early warnings of such risks, allowing companies to take proactive measures to protect water resources and maintain system resilience.
A future-ready approach to water management
The adoption of advanced tools like eDNA technology represents a major leap forward in safeguarding the UK’s water systems against the growing threat of invasive species. By enabling early detection and offering a comprehensive view of species in waterways, these technologies empower water companies and policymakers to move from reactive damage control to proactive ecosystem management.
Investing in eDNA technology will not only protect water quality and biodiversity but also futureproof the UK’s natural resources against environmental disruptions. This strategic, technology-driven approach will be essential in addressing the challenges posed by invasive species and ensuring the sustainability of the water sector for generations to come.
