UK Water Research Articles

Research on customers’ willingness-to-pay for service changes in UK water company price reviews 1994–2019

ABSTRACT Water companies are regional monopolies in the UK, and subject to quinquennial price reviews to ensure customers receive value for money. This paper documents the application and evolution of stated preference methodology in the quinquennial price review research. Stated preference methods are used to assess customers’ preferences for changes to water supply, waste-water, and environmental services; and customers’ willingness-to-pay, or willingness-to-accept, water bill amounts for changes to these service levels. Recently revealed preference methods have been given more prominence in estimating values for some water services. The application of stated preference, and revealed preference, has seen continued attempts, in successive price reviews, to improve the accuracy and reliability of values for water services, as an input into the cost–benefit analysis of water projects, and water company business plans.

The 2019/2020 floods in the UK: a hydrological appraisal

The 2019/2020 floods in the <scp>UK</scp>: a hydrological appraisal

The Development of New Toxicity Testing and Approval Processes for Oil Spill Treatment Products in the UK

ABSTRACT Current experimental protocols for the toxicity assessment of oil spill treatment products in the UK have been established since the 1970s. To address health and safety, cost and scientific robustness issues the UK approach for dispersant testing and approval has been reviewed and updated for implementation during 2020. To provide more robust scientific advice for the risk assessments that enable effective decision making on the use of oil remediation products in the event of a spill there has been a focus on methods that already have internationally accepted protocols. Standardisation of dispersant testing will promote more effective cross-institute comparisons of toxicity data and will enable further harmonisation of approaches in the future. It is preferable that environmentally relevant test species are used but, as the scientific literature provides little conclusive evidence of a taxa-specific trend in sensitivity, species selection based on sensitivity alone was not justified. Eight dispersants, commonly stockpiled in the UK, were tested independently and in combination with a representative crude oil (Kuwait). Testing of dispersants in combination with oil has historically provided more variable results so this study has considered the benefits of this versus product only testing. Core test species included the harpacticoid copepod, Tisbe battagliai, and the algae, Skeletonema sp., as both have cost-effective internationally standardised methods, whilst also being environmentally representative and using test species easily cultured under laboratory conditions with no seasonality. Other candidate test species, such as oyster embryos, had limitations in applicability due to seasonal issues. Fish testing was not considered as there was no ethical reasoning for vertebrate testing due to the absence of taxa-specific toxicity. Results showed that, if oil is excluded from the assessment, Skeletonema sp. and Tisbe battagliai, can produce reliable, reproduceable and interpretable results. When running the T. battagliai test, independently on multiple occasions, without oil, dispersant 1, 2 and 3 had EC50 results that were not statistically different. This suggests that product only testing is suitable for ranking products based on toxicological hazard. The redevelopment of the UK guideline to use standardised testing and the selection of appropriate, environmentally relevant test organisms will increase the quality and reliability of data used to underpin the UK oil spill treatment testing and approval scheme. The adoption of this approach will enable an approved list of products for use in UK waters to be maintained. However, the decision for dispersant use in any given scenario will need to be underpinned through expert advice applying a risk assessment approach taking account a range of incident-specific physical and environmental sensitivity information.

Tidal stream use by black guillemots Cepphus grylle in relation to a marine renewable energy development

Seabirds that forage within tidal streams may be vulnerable to collision or habitat change due to tidal stream turbines. The black guillemot Cepphus grylle is considered to be the seabird species most at risk from tidal stream turbines in UK waters. Using GPS tracking of adult breeding black guillemots, carried out on the island of Stroma, Caithness, in 2016 and 2017, we examined habitat use within the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth in relation to the MeyGen tidal lease area (MTLA). We found foraging areas of black guillemots within the Inner Sound to be influenced by tidal velocity and seafloor depth. The velocities and depths which black guillemots selected while foraging within a 1 km boundary of the lease area significantly differed from those concurrently occurring within the MTLA (velocities: foraging = 0.79 m s-1, MTLA = 1.57 m s-1; depths: foraging = 24.55 m, MTLA = 32.09 m). This disparity between the used habitat and the conditions within the MTLA may indicate a reduced potential for interactions with turbines. The potential for collision with turbine blades is further reduced by black guillemots predominantly associating with mean tidal velocities slower than the 1 m s-1 cut-in speeds of the MeyGen turbines. However, as more turbines are constructed within the lease area (up to 398 turbines proposed), habitat and hydrodynamic conditions may be altered to become more suitable for foraging, so monitoring black guillemot foraging behaviour post-construction is strongly recommended.

Modelling Microplastics in the River Thames: Sources, Sinks and Policy Implications

With widespread, long-term historical use of plastics and the presence of microplastics in a range of new and existing products, there is rising concern about their potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding how microplastics are transported and distributed along river systems is key to assessing impacts. Modelling the main flow dynamics, mixing, sedimentation and resuspension processes is essential for an understanding of the transport processes. We use the new, processed based, dynamic, integrated catchments (INCA) microplastics model and apply this to the whole of the freshwater catchment of the River Thames, UK, to evaluate inputs, loads and concentrations along the river system. Recent data from UK water industry studies on microplastics in effluent discharges and sewage sludge disposal has been utilised to drive the INCA microplastics model. Predicted concentrations and microplastic loads moving along the river system are shown to be significant, with a build-up of concentrations along the river, with increasing deposition on the riverbed. The potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems are evaluated and a review of policy implications is explored.

Detecting the impacts on UK sublittoral rock communities of resuspended sediments from fishing activity

Sublittoral rocky reef habitats host important ecological communities in UK waters, but their ecological condition is difficult to monitor. Monitoring methods based on seabed imagery data are prone to inconsistencies in both the identification and enumeration of species, which is a major hurdle in detecting meaningful ecological change. To overcome this problem, our study used a single monitoring dataset, collected using one standard method at the Pisces Reef Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2016. We identified which method of data extraction from seabed imagery is best able to detect change along a gradient of anthropogenic resuspended sediments, which represents a pressure on the epifaunal community. We modelled the spatial distribution of the pressure, caused by nearby fishing activity, using an approach based on individual Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) ping data, rather than spatially homogenised data aggregated to a grid cell. We found that up to 22% of the biological variability across the three reef areas within the MPA is explained by the measured and derived environmental variables. The response of the epibenthic community at Pisces Reef MPA to the resuspended sediments pressure gradient is masked by commonly used univariate metrics such as species diversity and abundance of individuals. Conversely, a Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) identifies community-level change caused by a low level of modelled resuspended sediments pressure. We found that a 0.05 decimal degree grid cell of seabed within 1 km of the MPA boundary, swept by demersal fishing gear as little as five times per year on average, can elicit such a community response. The data extraction metric best able to detect this change in the sublittoral rock community is the frequency of occurrence of taxa in images with an average field of view of 0.7 m2, using a 25-cell grid. More traditional metrics extracted from seabed imagery, such as raw counts and percentage cover estimates, are less sensitive to detecting such community change. The TITAN also identified taxon-level responses to the pressure gradient that could be considered for future monitoring programmes. The solitary coral genus Caryophyllia and cup-like sponges show a sharp and strong negative response to pressure exposure, and could represent a starting point for a future monitoring programme of UK sublittoral rock habitats. The implications for future monitoring are discussed, including survey design, environmental and biological data collection and improved pressure modelling.

Full-scale trials to achieve low total phosphorus in effluents from sewage treatment works

The tightening of phosphorus (P) standards has forced the UK water industry to identify options to improve P removal in sewage treatment works. This article presents results of 12-month trials testing three technologies at full-scale: a membrane bioreactor (MBR), a continuous backwash up-flow sand filter (CBUSF) and a high-rate compressible media filter (HRCMF). The aim of the trial was to determine the lowest total phosphorus (TP) concentrations that these systems can consistently achieve under stable operating conditions. MBR is a mature technology combining biological treatment with membrane filtration for solids removal. CBUSF uses granular media deep filtration as removal process while HRCMF uses a synthetic fibre compressible media to retain solids and both technologies are typically applied as tertiary treatments in combination with chemical P removal. The lowest TP effluent concentration was recorded for CBUSF (0.22 mg P/L) while the highest TP removal was recorded for MBR (95 ± 3 %). HRCMF delivered the poorest performance (32 ± 26 % TP removal, 1.7 mg P/L average TP effluent), attributed to limited chemical TP binding and solids removal under the conditions tested. Factors affecting P removal performance during the trial were the identification of the optimal coagulant dose to bind soluble P, the formation of solids that can be removed by the separation unit, insufficient reaction time for the coagulation process and the carryover of coagulant into the final effluent. The trials gave valuable insights to address the implementation of new technologies or upgrade existing assets' performance.

Unaided dispersal risk of Magallana gigas into and around the UK: combining particle tracking modelling and environmental suitability scoring

Marine non-indigenous species are a significant threat to marine ecosystems with prevention of introduction and early detection considered to be the only effective management strategy. Knowledge of the unaided pathway has received relatively little attention, despite being integral to the implementation of robust monitoring and surveillance. Here, particle tracking modelling is combined with spatial analysis of environmental suitability, to highlight UK coastal areas at risk of introduction and spread of Magallana gigas by the unaided pathway. ‘Introduction into UK’ scenarios were based on spawning from the continental coast, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and ‘spread within UK’ scenarios were based on spawning from known UK wild populations and aquaculture sites. Artificial structures were included as spawning sites in an introduction scenario. The UK coast was scored, based on parameters influencing larval settlement, to reflect environmental suitability. Risk maps were produced to highlight areas of the UK coast at elevated risk of introduction and spread of M. gigas by the unaided pathway. This study highlights that introduction of M. gigas into UK waters via the unaided pathway is possible, with offshore structures increasing the potential geographical extent of introduction. Further, there is potential for substantial secondary spread from aquaculture sites and wild populations in the UK. The results of the study are considered in the context of national M. gigas management, whilst the approach is contextualised more broadly as a tool to further understanding of a little-known, yet significant pathway.

Consistent concentrations of critically endangered Balearic shearwaters in UK waters revealed by at-sea surveys.

AimEurope's only globally critically endangered seabird, the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), is thought to have expanded its postbreeding range northwards into UK waters, though its at sea distribution there is not yet well understood. This study aims to identify environmental factors associated with the species’ presence, map the probability of presence of the species across the western English Channel and southern Celtic Sea, and estimate the number of individuals in this area.LocationThe western English Channel and southern Celtic Sea.MethodsThis study analyses strip transect data collected between 2013 and 2017 from vessel‐based surveys in the western English Channel and southern Celtic Sea during the Balearic shearwater's postbreeding period. Using environmental data collected directly and from remote sensors both Generalized Additive Models and the Random Forest machine learning model were used to determine shearwater presence at different locations. Abundance was estimated separately using a density multiplication approach.ResultsBoth models indicated that oceanographic features were better predictors of shearwater presence than fish abundance. Seafloor aspect, sea surface temperature, depth, salinity, and maximum current speed were the most important predictors. The estimated number of Balearic shearwaters in the prediction area ranged from 652 birds in 2017 to 6,904 birds in 2014.Main conclusionsAreas with consistently high probabilities of shearwater presence were identified at the Celtic Sea front. Our estimates suggest that the study area in southwest Britain supports between 2% and 23% of the global population of Balearic shearwaters. Based on the timing of the surveys (mainly in October), it is probable that most of the sighted shearwaters were immatures. This study provides the most complete understanding of Balearic shearwater distribution in UK waters available to date, information that will help inform any future conservation actions concerning this endangered species.

Performance prediction and evaluation on the first balanced energy networks (BEN) part I: BEN and building internal factors

Approximately half of all energy consumed is used for generating heat and hot water in the UK, meanwhile, space heating and hot water consist of about 21% of greenhouse gas emissions. One pathway of decarbonizing heat is electrification of heat, the requirement of electricity is then met through smart grid and demand side response management. A new method for electrifying heat through a balanced energy network (BEN) system, which is situated in central campus of London South Bank University, has been presented. The validations of BEN model are performed against historic measurement data and manufacturer performance data. BEN system performance is then predicted and evaluated through investigating the effects of BEN and building internal factors including system operation mode, thermal storage, indoor set-point temperature, and COP of heat pump. Several key results were drawn as follows: (1) Carbon emissions from building energy consumption mainly depend on operation mode and thermal storage capacity of BEN system, actual heat demand in buildings and carbon emission factor as a function of time; (2) Energy consumption and costs and its carbon emissions will nonlinearly increase with the increasing of indoor set-point temperature; (3) In January (the coldest month of the year), the heating consumption for operating BEN system will be decreased by 77.9%/72.9% compared with historic monitoring data of 2014/2015; (4) For BEN system, the usage, costs and carbon emissions of electricity supplying to heat pump is an decreasing function of COP.

Spatio-temporal patterns in harbour porpoise density: citizen science and conservation in UK seas

Fisheries-induced mortality poses a threat to the conservation of small cetaceans, particularly those found in productive coastal waters. Harbour porpoisesPhocoena phocoenaare ubiquitous in UK seas, but despite their prevalence, knowledge gaps remain on fine-scale space use. A deeper understanding of how distributions vary in space and time is required for appropriate management. Citizen science programs which collect standardized data aboard platforms of opportunity can help uncover patterns and identify higher density areas in the time between surveys of absolute abundance. Here, we analyze citizen science data collected from ferries to investigate spatio-temporal patterns in porpoise densities along routes in UK waters. Region-specific detection functions and generalized additive models were used to estimate abundance and elucidate relationships between distributions and environmental variables. The highest densities during the study period (2006-2017) were found southwest of Cornwall, followed by the North Sea and the English Channel. Average density in the North Sea increased substantially during this time, suggesting new high-use areas along these routes. Density surface models showed strong relationships with coastal waters, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, and water column dynamics. Contrasting preferences for stratified waters in the North Sea and well-mixed areas in the channel suggest distinct foraging behaviours. Higher density areas were identified in the southwestern and northeastern UK, indicating priority areas for conservation efforts, especially in Cornish waters where porpoises are highly vulnerable to bycatch. Findings highlight how citizen science, together with robust density estimation, can contribute to the conservation management of a common, although threatened, species.

Roadblocks to Low Temperature District Heating

Energy usage in buildings is coming increasingly under the spotlight as carbon policy focus shifts towards the utilization of thermal energy. In the UK, heating and hot water accounts for around 40% of energy consumption and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Heating is typically produced onsite, making widescale carbon or energetic improvements challenging. District heating networks (DHNs) can offer significant carbon reduction for many users but can only be implemented if the end user buildings have good thermal energy efficiency. This greatly limits the ability to implement advancing 4th and 5th generation DHNs, which are the most advanced systems available. We elucidate the current state of thermal efficiency in buildings in the UK and provide recommendations for necessary building requirements and modifications in order to accommodate 4th and 5th generation district heating. We conclude that key sectors must be addressed including creating a skilled workforce, producing relevant metrics and benchmarks, and providing financial support for early stage design exploration.

Transferring the UK experience of raising water awareness to the Saudi situation: perceptions of Saudi students in the UK

Abstract This paper presents the perceptions of 20 Saudi students in the UK investigating how to transfer experiences from the UK into the Saudi situation through a focus-group methodology. This method was made with such a focus group to get the general perceptions of Saudis students who have lived in the UK. The research concluded that the UK water companies present a useful model that will encourage the Saudi public to see themselves as stakeholders in addition to being consumers. There are significant barriers regarding the level of public participation required by these UK models. A cultural change is required to make the Saudi public see water conservation as their responsibility. Moreover, the concept of children educating adults in a mildly humorous way may not be transferrable to Saudi society.

Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for Imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products

BackgroundImidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs). VMPs containing Imidacloprid are formulated as spot-on products or collars and designed to protect pets, predominantly dogs and cats, from parasite infestation. Monitoring data collected under the Water Framework Directive between 2016 and 2018 showed detectable and varying levels of Imidacloprid in the UK surface water bodies. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential contribution of VMPs by developing a model for predicting the emissions from sewage treatment plants from the use of dog and cat spot-on and collar VMPs. Due to the absence of appropriate exposure models for VMPs, the model was built based on the principles of environmental exposure assessment for biocidal products.ResultsThree emission paths were considered to be the most likely routes for repeated emissions to waterways from the use of spot-on and collar VMPs, i.e., transfer to pet bedding followed by washing, washing/bathing of dogs, and walking dogs in the rain. The developed model was used to calculate the Imidacloprid concentrations in surface water after discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Realistic worst-case input parameters were deduced from sales and survey data and experimental studies. Modelled total concentrations in surface water for each pathway ranged from 0.84 to 4.8 ng/L. The calculated concentrations did not exceed the ecological thresholds for the most sensitive aquatic invertebrate organisms and were found to be much lower than the UK monitoring data for river water. For example, the calculated concentration from the bathing/washing of dogs was < 3% of the highest levels of Imidacloprid measured in surface waters.ConclusionIn conclusion, a model has been successfully built and applied. The modelled data indicate that these VMPs make only a very small contribution to the levels of Imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme. Further, calculated concentrations do not exceed ecotoxicological threshold values indicating acceptable chronic safety to aquatic organisms.

Do riparian buffer zones and new forest management practices reduce stream suspended sediment loads?: Re‐visiting the Afon Tanllwyth in Hafren Forest, Plynlimon, 20 years on

AbstractStudies of forest clear‐felling operations in 1995–97 in the Afon Tanllwyth sub‐catchment of the upper River Severn on Plynlimon, mid‐Wales, by Stott et al. (Journal of Environmental Management (2001), 63, 3), indicated elevated suspended sediment loads (SSLs) immediately following timber harvesting. UK Forestry Commission (1993) Forests and Water Guidelines recommended that riparian buffer zones adjacent to streams were left unplanted. This study 20 years on assessed the SSLs at the same point in the Afon Tanllwyth for 21 months between January 2017 and September 2018. While SSLs reported by Stott et al. (Journal of Environmental Management (2001), 63, 3). increased during and after the clear‐felling operations, by 2017–18 (20 years later) they appear to have recovered to levels similar to those measured pre‐clear‐felling (1995), despite this study taking place only a few months after approximately 3 ha of mature forest was clear‐felled on the north side of the catchment. Although the mean monthly SSL for 2017–18 of 1628 ± 95 kg is slightly lower than the 1,800 ± 176 kg reported for 1995, the difference is not significant. When SSL is corrected for differences in total monthly flow the flow adjusted SSLs are 1,346 ± 132 kg for 1995 and 945 ± 55 kg for 2017–18, thus significantly lower in 2017–18. These new data for 2017–18 indicate that SSLs seem to have recovered to levels significantly below those measured and reported by Stott et al. (Journal of Environmental Management (2001), 63, 3–25) in 1995 pre‐clear‐felling period, likely as a result of the establishment of the 50 m buffer zone.

Horizontal and vertical movements of starry smooth-hound Mustelus asterias in the northeast Atlantic.

Commercial landings of starry smooth-hound Mustelus asterias in northern European seas are increasing, whilst our knowledge of their ecology, behaviour and population structure remains limited. M. asterias is a widely distributed demersal shark, occupying the waters of the southern North Sea and Irish Sea in the north, to at least the southern Bay of Biscay in the south, and is seasonally abundant in UK waters. There are no species-specific management measures for the northeast Atlantic stock, and the complexity of its population structure is not yet fully understood. To address this issue, we deployed both mark-recapture and electronic tags on M. asterias to gain novel insights into its horizontal and vertical movements. Our data suggest that the habitat use of M. asterias changes on a seasonal basis, with associated changes in geographical distribution, depth utilisation and experienced temperature. We report the first direct evidence of philopatry for this species, and also provide initial evidence of sex-biased dispersal and potential metapopulation-like stock structuring either side of the UK continental shelf. Investigations of finer-scale vertical movements revealed clear diel variation in vertical activity. The illustrated patterns of seasonal space-use and behaviour will provide important information to support the stock assessment process and will help inform any future management options.

Thermal sensitivity of feeding and burrowing activity of an invasive crayfish in UK waters

AbstractClimate change and invasive species are among the biggest threats to global biodiversity and ecosystem function. Although the individual impacts of climate change and invasive species are commonly assessed, we know far less about how a changing climate may impact invading species. Increases in water temperature due to climate change are likely to alter the thermal regime of UK rivers, and this in turn may influence the performance of invasive species such as signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), which are known to have deleterious impacts on native ecosystems. We evaluate the relationship between water temperature and two key performance traits in signal crayfish—feeding and burrowing rate—using thermal experiments on wild‐caught individuals in a laboratory environment. Although water temperature was found to have no significant influence on burrowing rate, it did have a strong effect on feeding rate. Using the thermal performance curve for feeding rate, we evaluate how the thermal suitability of three UK rivers for signal crayfish may change as a result of future warming. We find that warming rivers may increase the amount of time that signal crayfish can achieve high feeding rate levels. These results suggest that elevated river water temperatures as a result of climate change may promote higher signal crayfish performance in the future, further exacerbating the ecological impact of this invasive species.

Process stress, stability and resilience in wastewater treatment processes: A novel conceptual methodology

Stress on wastewater infrastructure and process equipment has increased dramatically due to climate change, changing consumer habits, population increase, and under investment for existing assets. These stress factors have resulted in significant fines being issued by the financial regulator Ofwat (>£6 million to UK water utilities in 2018). In addition, Ofwat's Price Review 2019 identified that UK water companies are struggling to secure the long-term resilience of their assets. In response, this research presents a simple visual methodology for characterising, both the process stress and resilience in discrete wastewater treatment processes which can be communicated simply to plant and operational management staff. Initially, the study focusses on the conceptual modelling of process stress and resilience, before moving on to how they can be de-coupled to characterise dynamic resilience. A six-step process stress evaluation methodology is presented, where; (1) is the selection of an existing process model; (2) is data entry and includes benchmarking of existing processes; (3) is the iteration of the process model using Monte-Carlo simulations; (4) is the computation of benchmark variation; (5) is the scaling of variance, with scalar values of −1 to 0 representing process stress and 0 to 1 resilience and, (6) is the visualisation of the variance from a benchmarked condition using contour plots. The outputs of the six-step modelling process are then used to compute the probability of process failure, reliability and estimation of process stability. All the parameters are then used to identify process related failure conditions; with process stress, and resilience being visualised in a contour plot heat map. These visualisations of process stress and resilience presented here, provide a conceptual methodology that allows plant and operational managers to discretely evaluate the stress, and resilience of their wastewater treatment processes. Also, as water chemistry monitoring instrumentation for wastewater treatment processes becomes more reliable, the methodology could be adapted to provide real-time process stress visualisations for both, wastewater and chemical processes.

Animating inter-organisational resilience communication: A participatory social network analysis of water governance in the UK

Resilience as a concept and resilience assessment as a practice are being explored across a range of social, ecological and technical systems. In this paper, we propose a new method and visualisation approach for interrogating the communication of resilience within organisational networks, using participatory social network analysis and message passing. Through an examination of the UK water sector organisational network, represented by multiple co-produced network graphs, we identify organisations having a key role in the communication of resilience regulatory and evidence messages, as well as highlighting the potential role of complexity tools in strategy formulation. Animations are presented showing the dynamics of resilience communication, which is discussed. Reflections on the use of participatory social network analysis are explored, as the method opens new doors to potentially examine how network changes could alter communication. Key insights highlight that perceived responsibilities for resilience in the UK water sector rest with a small core of organisations; water customers play a limited role in the two-way communication of resilience and water sector organisations do not communicate widely on resilience with other sectors (such as energy). Additionally, who an organisations’ neighbours are and what catalyses a message to be passed are important in determining how quickly messages spread. Results lead to a recommendation that high level governmental and policy organisations should engage to a greater extent with new resilience knowledge and consider the use of complexity tools in policy making. Policy in relation to resilience is not keeping pace with such knowledge, limiting the communication and learning of organisations who ardently follow policy and regulation. For inter-organisational cooperation to make a difference to water governance, such organisations need to be encouraged to communicate and embed the latest approaches in relation to resilience and complexity thinking and practice.

Design of optimal velocity tracking controllers for one and two-body point absorber wave energy converters

Abstract Point absorber Wave Energy Converters (WECs) are typically operated using linear damping control in which the resistive force of the power take-off (PTO) is linearly proportional to the velocity of the floater. Such algorithms are used predominantly due to their simplicity and ease of application, however, it is known that such control is far from optimal in terms of energy capture. Previous studies in the literature have seen a number of different, more advanced control methodologies proposed, however, in the main, these have been applied to single body point absorbers. The main objective of the work presented here is to develop and implement a novel two-body WEC optimal velocity tracking controller design methodology. First, an Optimal Velocity Tracking (OVT) controller is designed using a novel controller design model and applied to a WEC-Sim model of a utility scale single-body point absorber. The methodology is then extended to the two-body point absorber WEC case and an OVT controller is designed for a utility scale two-body WEC. The increase in energy capture for a site in UK waters, based on WEC-Sim simulations and compared to typical linear damping control, is 23% for the one-body WEC and 20% for the two-body WEC.