Rethinking Treatment Processes WRc - Rethinking Disinfection Policy Water companies in the UK are required to develop and implement a Disinfection Policy which lays down the high-level strategy for achieving "an adequate treatment", in line with the requirements of Regulation 26. Water companies must be able to demonstrate that the treatment is designed for the microbiological challenge present in the raw water, and that it is operated within validated criteria. The Drinking Water Inspectorate has taken a flexible approach in allowing water companies to develop the structure and contents of their own disinfection policies, with the caveat that the policies need to be informed by "sound science". WRc can support the development or revision of water company disinfection policies. We can perform gap/optimisation analysis, comparing water companies' existing disinfection policies with good practice elements drawn from international jurisdictions with well-established drinking water safety and disinfection practice. This fulfils the requirement for establishing disinfection policies based on sound science within a robust, risk-based framework. We can support the revision or rewrite process, as well as benchmarking existing treatment works against elements of good Disinfection Policy practice. WRc has successfully delivered this solution to a number of water companies and is in consultation with several others, as well as the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) to define optimum approaches. WRc also facilitate a "Disinfection Forum" working group where innovative ideas and best practice can be discussed.