Case studies : Hydrogeologist: Paul

I had been working in the IT industry for some years when I decided on a change to a career with more connection with the natural world, and one where I could do something positive for my community. I started a degree in geosciences with the Open University. Two years later I left the IT industry to work as an environment officer with the Environment Agency (EA). I specialised in the regulation of landfill sites, which involved developing some expertise in chemical contamination of groundwater. With this experience and a completed BSc, I was able to gain a position as a technical officer (hydrogeologist) in a groundwater and contaminated land team.

There are no ‘typical days’ in my role but a typical week might include: 

• meeting developers, the local authority and technical consultants to discuss the building of a car park on top of an old landfill site and advising on the best way to protect any adjacent, groundwater-dependent Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
• responding to proposals for an intrusive site investigation and recommending an approach to modelling the site. Later, reviewing the submitted investigation and numerical model and making recommendations for further investigation, ensuring the protection of the nearby SSSI.
• accompanying regulatory officers to an industrial site to take groundwater samples to be used as evidence in a potential prosecution case. Later, analysing historical monitoring data and interpreting using geological maps and engineering designs of the site to pinpoint the source of contamination.
• analysing data from borehole pump tests to determine whether a licence can be granted to abstract groundwater without impacting on watercourses, ecosystems or other nearby abstractors.

My job is very satisfying. I do interesting, intellectually challenging work in a supportive environment alongside other committed professionals and I know that the work I am doing is safeguarding a vital natural resource for future generations.

I am sometimes frustrated because the benefits of our achievements in groundwater protection will not be felt for decades to come - the work of my team has a low profile, even within the environmental sector. This will change in the future as climate change will mean that more and more reliance is placed on groundwater as a source of water for people and industry.

I am studying towards an MSc and eventually hope to be recognised through chartership with the Geological Society. Within the Environment Agency there are many varied routes of development, including national strategic or local managerial positions. My ambitions are to continue in my current role and, within the next five years, gain a technical specialist position within my team.