The main objective of the Metals and Related Substances in Drinking Water Specialist Group is to stimulate better control of metals and related substances in drinking water and to minimise environmental impacts. The supporting objectives are:

1) To provide an on-going forum for knowledge exchange in connection with metals and related substances in drinking water.
2) To promote good practice in the control of metals and related substances in drinking water.
3) To more critically determine the environmental and socio-economic impacts of control measures through the sharing of practitioner experience.
4) To stimulate relevant collaborative research and demonstration studies.

Core issues for our group are:

• The conditioning of water and control of plumbing materials to minimise leaching of harmful metals;
• The management of naturally occurring metals in drinking water through source management and appropriate treatment;
• The treatment and mitigation of contamination in drinking water caused by pollution;
• The management of water distribution systems to minimise aesthetic issues;
• The control of metals in small water supplies and in areas where water is scarce.

In 2015 we improved communications with our members by publishing the first edition of a regular newsletter to SG members and reviewing  and consulting on SG activities and plans with members. The year also marks the publication of two books in the group’s Best Practice Guide series – on the Control of Arsenic in Drinking Water and Managing Metals and Related Substances in Small Water Supplies.