Water, water everywhere

 

Because we get it straight from the tap, it’s sometimes easy to overlook how precious – and potentially malevolent – a commodity water can be. But, as recent national flooding, and international drought has taught us, it’s not something we should take for granted.

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Now, due to increased regulations and climate change, amongst many other factors, water takes a central place in any large scale civil engineering plan.

Due to this, people like Liam Foster, a senior hydrologist at Hyder Consulting, are in increased demand with employers. Here, DERMOT WATSON, catches up with Liam to get the lowdown on environmentally friendly large scale water management.

Can you tell us exactly what it is that you do?
I’m a senior hydrologist at Hyder. I get involved in a range of research and development or project work that involves water and the environment. That ranges from pure hydrology like water resources reviews, to works where I look at the flood risk for a new development. Also, it’s looking at better management of water resources… trying to see if we can come up with more sustainable measures.

You have a background in geography and geology, rather than pure engineering. Are there more calls now for people like you on engineering projects?

There’s a greater call now for wider, non-pure engineering skills in companies like Hyder, for civil engineering and other projects.

In what way do you work with engineers?

I make sure that when engineers design or review things, they’ve got the full armoury to make the best and most sustainable result for all involved.

Given the fact that we’re all thinking about sustainability a whole lot more, I’m presuming that there are more and more jobs and opportunities for people like you?

Yes, and it’ll grow even more. Water is a finite resource, despite the flooding of last year. When you look at the Government’s water strategy [Future Water] and new building regulations, they’re looking for much more efficient use and re-use of our water resources. There’s a big move away from the traditional Victorian method of collection and conveying of water.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m just finishing a project off for Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) which looks at ways to improve the way we manage our urban drainage.

What do you think are particularly large changes on the horizon for how we use and manage water?

"I’m a Chartered Environmentalist and Scientist through CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management)"

I think – especially in countries where there are trans-boundary issues – that the overall issue of water will come to the forefront. It’s an underlying threat that without proper planning and resource allocation there could be serious issues to do with drought and access to clean water. The threat is there and climate change will exacerbate that and cause regional discrepancies… there will be drought in some areas and flooding in others.

So, what you’re saying is that our fundamental attitude to water has to change?

Yes, there are two things that have left us in the situation we’re in now. One is the water resources act; the second is that – up until about five years ago – we’ve built water out of the development. We’ve tried to get it out of the way as quickly as possible so as not to have perceptions of increased flood risk.

I think the value of water is way too low.

Tell us about how you got to do the job that you do?

I chose geography and geology because of my appreciation of the environment. As my dad worked for an oil company I got to see bits of the world you wouldn’t normally have access to. That built an appreciation of different people and cultures. That drove me to do geography and geology majoring in the physical environment.

Throughout that I appreciated rivers and waters most. Seeing things like the Thames Barrier on field trips were eye opening in terms of the engineering aspect and in terms of the sheer power of water.

My first job was as a drainage engineer for another consultancy (called MWH). That was my first working experience is this kind of engineering field. It was very valuable as it taught the thinking patterns you needed to be in a consultancy environment. It’s usually fast faced and high pressured. What it did was bring out the fact that you’re making a difference. You’re doing schemes which help people with their flooding problems. You talk to the people and see the social impact and how you can help. This cemented my commitment to this industry.

Have you undertaken any professional development plans?

I’m a Chartered Environmentalist and Scientist through CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management). I achieved that a year and a half ago.

What do you think you’d like to be doing in ten years time?

[I see myself] majoring on the ‘making a difference’ aspect, so working on bigger projects that push forward the sustainable agenda either in the UK or overseas.

When you’re not at work, how do you spend your time?

Golf… it’s a lot to do with being in the outdoors.

Liam studied at Birmingham University and achieved a degree in Geography/Geology and then postgraduate qualifications in Water Resources Technology and Management.

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