University of Surrey leads way on global water quality after WHO re-designation

LONDON, UK, FEB 7, 2019 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has re-designated the University of Surrey as a Collaborating Centre for Protection of Water Quality and Human Health.

WHO is the international authority on public health and water quality, and leads global efforts to prevent transmission of waterborne disease. WHO Collaborating Centers are institutions designated by the WHO's Director-General to carry out activities in support of the organization's programs.

Surrey's Robens Centre for Public and Environmental Health and Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering are together responsible for supporting and informing the WHO on its approaches to water quality monitoring and surveillance, providing guidance and tools for small water supply systems, and providing emergency response support.

This work will see Surrey significantly contribute to the revision of the global guidelines to improve the quality of drinking water across the globe.

The University of Surrey has been re-designated for five years and is one of only two WHO Collaboration Centers in the UK.

Dr Katherine Pond from the University of Surrey said: "We are delighted and honored to be re-designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts not only with the WHO, but with colleagues across the world to help monitor and improve the quality of drinking water."