Drinking Water

Colour Removal

At Barr + Wray, we provide advanced colour removal systems for both municipal drinking water and a wide range of industrial water treatment applications. Colour in clean water—caused by dissolved organic matter such as humic acids, tannins, or metals such as iron and manganese can affect not only water aesthetics, but also compliance with regulatory standards.

We design and supply treatment systems that combine Activated Carbon Filtration and Ion Exchange Technology to effectively reduce colour and improve water clarity, taste, and overall quality.

Activated Carbon Filtration

Our systems utilise high-grade granular activated carbon (GAC) media to remove naturally occurring organics and disinfection by-products responsible for colour, odour, and taste. These filters are engineered for maximum contact time and adsorption efficiency, making them ideal for pre-treatment in both municipal waterworks and industrial processing facilities.

Ion Exchange Treatment

Barr + Wray’s DWI-approved ion exchange resins (DWI56/4/1237, DWI56/4/1238 and DWI56/4/1239) provide safe and effective removal of colour-causing organics.

By integrating both methods, our systems deliver reliable, non-chemical treatment solutions that meet strict quality and aesthetic standards. We also offer automated regeneration systems, media replacement, and ongoing service support to ensure long-term performance and regulatory compliance.

From drinking water treatment plants to industrial production lines, Barr + Wray’s tailored solutions ensure consistently clear, high-quality water with efficient and sustainable operation.

Bespoke Packaged Plant

At Barr + Wray, we specialise in the design, manufacture, and installation of bespoke water treatment plants, tailored to meet the exact requirements of each client. With over 60 years of engineering expertise, we deliver custom-built systems that ensure high performance, operational efficiency, and full compliance with industry regulations.

Our process begins with a detailed assessment of your raw water source, whether it’s borehole, surface water, seawater, or municipal supply.  We analyse the water quality and understand the specific demands of your application – whether it be potable water, industrial process water, boiler feed, or wastewater treatment.

We then engineer a fully customised solution, selecting from a wide range of proven technologies including media filtration, cartridge filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, activated carbon filtration, UV disinfection, and chemical dosing.

We customise plant layout, control systems, levels of automation, and material selection to match your operational environment and space requirements. All systems can be fully integrated with SCADA or remote monitoring platforms for real-time control and diagnostics.

Our experienced team handles everything—from 3D design and fabrication to on-site commissioning and aftercare support—delivering truly turnkey solutions.

Whether you’re operating in the municipal, pharmaceutical, food + beverage, power, electronics, or leisure sector, Barr + Wray delivers bespoke water treatment plants that are built to last and designed for future scalability.

DWI Approved Products

Barr + Wray has extensive experience supplying DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) approved filtration products to support the delivery of safe, high-quality potable water across the municipal water sector.

We are a trusted supplier of DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) approved cartridge filters and housings, supporting municipal water companies in delivering high-quality, compliant potable water to the public.  We supply a full range of meltblown polypropylene filter cartridges—including the SupaSpun II R31, which is specifically designed and qualified for use in public water supplies.

Approved under DWI reference 56/4/702, SupaSpun II R31 cartridges have been widely adopted by leading UK water utilities for their exceptional performance in turbidity reduction, particulate removal, and protection of downstream treatment processes. These cartridges, manufactured by Amazon Filters, have also passed BS 6920 Part 3 testing, confirming their suitability for use in contact with cold potable water.

In addition to filter cartridges, Barr + Wray also supplies DWI-approved filter housings, certified under DWI reference 56/4/879, ensuring a complete, compliant filtration solution.

Our engineering team provides full system design, including skid-mounted filtration units, retrofits, and technical support tailored to existing infrastructure. With a focus on quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance, Barr + Wray enables water companies to maintain the highest standards in public water supply treatment.

In addition, we supply DWI-approved ion exchange resins specifically designed for colour correction, and organics control (including humic and fulvic acids). These resins are selected for high capacity, chemical stability, and regeneration efficiency—ensuring long-term performance and cost-effectiveness.

With in-house design and system integration capabilities, Barr + Wray supports water companies with fully tailored solutions, including skid-mounted systems, resin replacement services, and technical support.

Our products and expertise ensure reliable compliance, operational efficiency, and consistent water quality for public water supply networks.

Packed Plant for New Technology

For many years Barr + Wray has worked closely with utility innovation teams and university start up companies to assist them accelerate the commercialisation of emerging water treatment technologies—transforming promising concepts into scalable, real-world solutions.

With over 60 years of experience in bespoke water and wastewater treatment, Barr + Wray brings a powerful combination of engineering design, in-house fabrication, automation expertise, and sector knowledge to every collaboration.

We support utility partner and university start-up companies from the concept stage through to pilot trials and full-scale deployment, providing detailed feasibility studies, performance testing, and field validation. Our mobile pilot units and lab-scale testing services allow new technologies—such as advanced membranes, ion exchange, or smart control systems—to be tested under live conditions, with direct feedback into system design.

Utilising our modular plant designs, we ensure easy integration with existing infrastructure, fast deployment, and future scalability. Each system is built using durable, application-specific materials and equipped with automated controls, remote diagnostics, and real-time monitoring to ensure long-term performance.

Through this hands-on, engineering-led approach, Barr + Wray helps innovation teams and start-up companies bridge the gap between R+D and commercial implementation, enabling faster adoption of efficient, sustainable, and compliant technologies across the water sector.