I began my working life way back in 1983 as an Analytical Scientist for what was then Severn Trent Water Authority. I mainly carried out chemical analysis on water samples of rivers, sewage treatment process effluents and drinking water. The National Rivers Authority (NRA) was formed in 1991, and it was at this time that I took on a role responsible for the protection of groundwater and watercourses in Derbyshire.
Time has marched on, and the Environment Agency replaced the NRA as the guardian of the Environment in England and Wales, and its responsibilities are now far reaching and diverse, backed up with some comprehensive legislation to regulate the activities and processes we monitor.
My current role is an Environment Officer regulating and enforcing activities relating to water and land in the Derbyshire area. I am also the team lead for the Water Framework Directive, Area representative for our Derbyshire Fire Service partnership, and sit on the Area Incident Management Group.
More recently I am started using Social Media to promote our work in the area, and this Blog is a national trial to help us develop localism and engage more people at a local level.
We have just started on a Pilot Project supported by DEFRA to bring about improvements to the River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire with the aim of it acheiving Good Environmental Status under the Water Framework Directive.
If you wish to find out more about our work, you can visit http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
