Introducing Dr David Bradley, APEM Group Technical Director for the Water Environment Sector

Dr Dave Bradley, Technical Director Freshwater, APEM Group

We asked David how 20 years at APEM Group has been for him, and what the next 20 years might look like for the water industry.

What does a Technical Director do at APEM Group?

Over the past few years, APEM Group has grown exponentially. Part of my role is to consider the growth and development of technical skills and capabilities and how we can put teams to work on even more ground-breaking projects for the water industry. With the latest AMP (Asset Management Plan) cycle bringing a much larger investment for the water sector, we are helping our clients to target investment into the right places and plan for the future.

20 years at APEM Group is a huge milestone. How have things changed for you in that time?

One of the most satisfying parts of my role has been developing teams. My proudest achievement was in 2014 when the laboratory team won the contract to provide external audit services to the Environment Agency, followed by further contracts with other regulators. It’s rewarding that regulators and clients trust our independence, quality control and our technical excellence.

Another highlight is the innovation and development that happens behind the scenes. The hydro-ecological models developed by APEM Group for Severn Trent and other water companies is a standout project that will help guide vital decisions about water supply and treatment and it’s been the subject of four different peer reviewed scientific journal publications. We’ve developed the Hydro-Ecology Toolkit for the Environment Agency and trained delegates from water companies, regulators, universities and consultancies to use it.

What is happening in the water industry at the moment?

There’s no doubt that water companies are weathering a storm of public criticism and government scrutiny. They’re dealing with ageing infrastructure, increasing demand new regulations and changing weather patterns.

Investment in the water industry is going to double in the next AMP cycle and will continue to increase in successive five-year periods. The water industry needs sufficient investment to fulfil the needs of a growing population, to supply a proposed 1.5 million new houses in five years and meet the challenges of a changing climate.

What should the water industry do with this investment?

There are two key areas: clean water supply and wastewater treatment.

On the water supply side, water companies need to sustainably abstract water without causing unacceptable impacts on the environment. APEM Group have developed modelling software to help water companies make sure abstractions are operated and licenced in a sustainable way, using science-and evidence-based decision making. We can also consider building new assets like reservoirs or desalination plants, which APEM Group are supporting during the environmental assessment and construction process.

On the wastewater treatment side, there will be big investments for water companies, starting next year with ongoing work to try to eliminate spills and overflows, trying to redesign the sewage network so it’s got the capacity to deal with wastewater.

Over the next several decades, water companies will be redesigning and rebuilding the national sewage system, which in many of the cities is 100 years old. And this is where technical support from APEM Group comes in: monitoring spills going into rivers and the impacts on environments and habitats.

Are there any project highlights you’d like to talk about?

The first large project win I was involved in was the Thames Water Abington Reservoir environmental impact assessment in 2005, taking over two years of intense environmental monitoring work in the River Thames and surrounding areas. Although the project was put on hold in 2008, it has been reactivated as the South East Reservoir Option (SESRO) and has been given the green light for planning. to help to solve London’s water supply problems. The reservoir will store and slowly release water into the River Thames during drought periods to support water being abstracted in London.

APEM Group will be supporting the environmental assessment process throughout development and beyond, from monitoring in terms of getting planning consent, which we’ve done, throughout the construction of the reservoir and afterwards. It’ll be a major development for London and an asset for Oxfordshire. As the first big water sports facilities in Oxfordshire, there will be recreational and sporting aspects and, as a massive national infrastructure development, it will help the economy as well.

What brought you to APEM Group?

My interest in this job started when I was six years old, and I’m lucky to call it my dream job. I was absolutely obsessed with fishing, with pond dipping and everything to do with nature and wildlife, particularly in and around water. And from the age of six, I’ve been absolutely focused on wanting to do this as a job. I went to university and chose a course in aquatic biology and found a job that fit my obsession with the environment and particularly water.

Many of your colleagues say that their hobby is also their job. Is that true for you?

Yes, I’m a keen fly fisherman for trout and grayling, mostly on rivers. I make my own fishing flies, trying to imitate the insects that we sample and study in our work, creating representations of them to put on the hook. I also give talks and demonstrations on fly tying at clubs around the Midlands, Shropshire and Herefordshire.

One goal for the future is to get myself into the Team England rivers international fly-fishing team. I’ve been very, very close to it. I got through to the national final a couple of years ago and I was one fish short of being selected for the England team.

I live in Shropshire with my wife and 8-year-old daughter, who keeps me very busy. She loves fishing too, and she’s got hours and hours just sitting and talking about everything with my complete undivided attention.

And it’s really nice just to sit there together and watch what’s going on. It makes me realise how important the job is and how important the whole water sector really is.

What difference or change would you like to see or influence in the water sector?

In the coming years, we need to capture water, store it and get it to the right place, by developing new resources like reservoirs and pipes to transfer water. We also need to manage sustainable abstraction rather than stopping it completely.

APEM Group have a critical role to close the gap between the water company and the regulator. We’re providing the best-quality science and expertise to make sure water comes from the right place at the right time, while protecting the environment. We can also help educate the public about the value of water, where it comes from, how difficult it is to treat and supply to their taps.

Water companies are under public scrutiny. How are APEM Group helping them tackle issues like sewage leaks?

For water abstraction and supply side, the hydro-ecology methods we’ve talked about are key. But sewage pollution is probably where most of the investments are going to go over the next few years. APEM Group have developed an award-winning methodology, continuous water quality monitoring (CWQM) which gives a real-time view of any pollution incidents and enables a rapid response. It also gives water companies the opportunity to show communities that they are making a positive difference to water quality.

The doubling or tripling of investments going into the water industry is really good news. And a lot of that is going to go into the environmental work the water industry does, to find net-positive projects.

And there are exciting developments planed like the SESRO, and important national infrastructure schemes planned. APEM Group have been involved in planning the Severn Thames Transfer, which is transferring water from Wales down the River Severn, across the River Thames and helping supply the South East, where water is needed. That’s another project that it’s going to take longer. And when that starts, it’s going to be a really exciting thing over the next few decades.

What do people say when you tell people what you do for a living?

Going to fishing groups, people love to talk water. It’s that dream job, spending time around rivers and lakes and having a positive effect on the water environment.

Water does so much more than just life support for wildlife and humans. It gives us peace of mind and draws people in, whether you’re doing a sport or whether you’re going for a day trip or sitting there on a nice sunny day. Water is the focal point, whether it’s the sea or a lake or a river.

Being involved in the water industry and watching the developments that will be happening over the next few years, getting involved in projects that will make a difference to people’s lives, to wildlife and habitats, it’s incredibly satisfying.

If you’d like to get in touch with David, you can contact him here.