Dr. Rob Low

Rob has 16 years professional experience as an environmental scientist, researcher and consultant, specialising in hydrogeology and wetland science. After obtaining a BSc (Physical Geography) and an MSc (Environmental Management), he specialised in hydrogeology by researching the dynamics of dissolved radon in the Chalk aquifer of East Anglia for his PhD, subsequently undertaking post-doctoral research on the controls and dynamics of groundwater storage in the Chalk.

As a consultant, Rob initially concentrated on developing his expertise in hydrogeology, and worked on a wide range of projects including large scale groundwater resource assessments (conceptual and numerical modelling) for both public supply (in the UK) and mine water supply (internationally), hydrogeological impact assessment, design and supervision of aquifer tests and investigation of smaller-scale hydrogeological problems.

Over the last five years, Rob has concentrated on developing his expertise in wetland science and hydroecology, carrying out a wide range of projects, mainly for public sector organisations. Projects have included: investigation and characterisation of wetlands; design, installation and operation of wetland monitoring schemes, hydrogeological impact assessment for wetlands under various national & international legislative drivers; contributions to national guidelines and policy relating to wetlands; contributions to the scientific literature on wetland and related hydrogeological science.

Beth Davies

Beth has over 10 years experience working as a hydrogeologist, both as a consultant and as a regulator. Since completing her MSc in 'Hydrogeology and Groundwater Chemistry' she has worked for two multi-national consultancies in the UK, contributing to their waste, contaminated land, nuclear and water resources sectors and successfully project managing large scale site investigation and assessment. During these periods she specialised in manipulation of large datasets, deterministic modelling of hydrogeological systems and risk assessment.

She has worked as an Area Hydrogeologist for the Midlands Region of the Environment Agency and more recently as the Senior Technical Specialist for the Groundwater and Contaminated Land team (Environment Agency Wales). As a regulator she has been responsible for providing support, guidance and training to area, regional and national staff on the implementation of legislation and policy. This has included implementation of the WFD, Habitats Directive, CAMS and changes to the Water Resources Act (particularly with respect to the licensing regime). She has reviewed and responded to numerous planning consultations (including mineral planning, greenfield and brownfield development, Local Development Plans), voluntary land contamination submissions, Part 2A desk studies/investigations, and Hydrogeological Risk Assessments under the Waste and PPC Regulations (now the EPR).

For two years, Beth acted as a visiting lecturer on the Cardiff University MSc in Hydrogeology, lecturing in ‘desk studies & conceptual models’, ‘groundwater contours & water level fluctuations’, ‘drilling techniques’, ‘well design & pumps’, ‘introduction to well and aquifer testing’.

Adam Taylor (Associate)

Adam has 12 years experience working as a hydrogeologist and groundwater modeller, applying his skills to a variety of water resources and environmental impact issues in the UK and abroad, from regional water resource studies to detailed site-specific investigations.

Adam has extensive knowledge of conceptual and applied groundwater modelling for the Environment Agency and water companies, and has been involved in the development of groundwater models for the Lincolnshire Limestone, Vale of St Albans, North Kent, Arun Valley and Hardham Basin, Selby-Doncaster, and Lower Mersey and North Merseyside aquifers. He has also developed techniques for using regional groundwater models in the assessment of impacts of groundwater abstractions on wetland sites (for the Environment Agency) and has developed small-scale models to investigate specific issues at ecologically sensitive sites, such as the impact of forestry on the dune slack systems at Newborough Warren, Anglesey, for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

Adam has experience in developing groundwater modelling software, with a central role in the development of the Environment Agency's MODFLOW VKD, and current involvement with the development of their National Groundwater Modelling System (NGMS). He has also developed several spreadsheet-based tools for a variety of risk-assessment and other applications.