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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260720T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260720T131500
DTSTAMP:20260611T140306Z
CREATED:20260611T135748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T140306Z
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SUMMARY:Recharge and Soil Moisture Dynamics: Improving Groundwater Models and Geohazard Assessment
DESCRIPTION:Groundwater is a critical water resource in the UK and globally. Its effective management and protection depend on robust hydrogeological judgement supported by scientific calculations that quantify the water budget and simulate groundwater flow. Recharge is the primary driver of hydrological models and a parameter that must be defined at the very start of any modelling exercise. \nRecharge estimation methods vary widely and are influenced by climate\, land cover\, soil properties\, and soil saturation conditions. Limited data availability and the difficulty of validating recharge estimates remain major challenges. Global data sources are key if national data are not available and the estimated recharge and soil moisture datasets unlock opportunities not only for groundwater resource assessment but also for tackling geohazard-related problems. \nThis Foundation for Water Research (FWR) webinar will explore the methods used to calculate recharge and the conceptual frameworks that underpin them. It will also highlight possible approaches for validating recharge estimates\, for example the applications of geophysical and soil moisture monitoring techniques. We will demonstrate how recharge and soil moisture information can inform groundwater resource management and support geohazard investigations using case studies from the UK and India. \nThis session offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of recharge estimation approaches used in hydrological modelling\, their limitations\, and the directions in which the field is evolving. \nThis FWR webinar is free and open to all. \nOur speaker\nDr Majdi Mansour\nGroundwater Modeller at the British Geological Survey \nDr Majdi Mansour is a civil engineer with 23 years of experience in groundwater modelling and hydrogeological research. His work focuses on developing and applying numerical methods to assess groundwater resources under changing climate conditions. He has authored several hydrological modelling tools used nationally and locally\, including ZOODRM\, the distributed recharge model for estimating recharge across the British mainland. Dr Mansour contributes to projects examining the role of soil moisture and groundwater in geohazards\, supporting the BGS clay swell-shrink GeoClimate product and other research on landslides and coastal erosion. His expertise in modelling\, recharge estimation and soil moisture dynamics underpins improved groundwater and geohazard management. \n  \nHeader image credit: © rohawk via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/groundwater-recharge-soil-moisture-webinar/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Environmental-scientists-collecting-soil-samples-out-in-the-field-©-rohawk-via-Adobe-Stock-scaled.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260730T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260730T140000
DTSTAMP:20260724T084106Z
CREATED:20260707T115430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T084106Z
UID:10000042-1785412800-1785420000@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Taking a holistic approach to PFAS in land\, air and water
DESCRIPTION:Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)\, referring to over 10\,000 chemicals used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products\, are a pervasive issue across the environment. There has been increasing concern about their environmental and potential health impacts\, given their ubiquity in groundwater\, surface water and soils. One area that is currently less well understood is PFAS emissions to air. In this upcoming panel discussion\, we will explore the challenge of PFAS across land\, air and water\, with an expert panel sharing insights on PFAS in air and waste\, and the implications this has for soil and water. Our speakers represent a diverse range of perspectives and expertise\, with the event bringing together representatives from the Land Condition Community\, Foundation for Water Research (FWR) and Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM). \nThis event builds on thinking recently outlined in the IAQM’s Insights Article on PFAS emissions in air\, in which authors Sarah Horrocks and Dan Maher considered what can be learned from the approach laid out in the recent IAQM guidance on air quality monitoring for brownfield projects in terms of management and monitoring of PFAS. \nAfter speakers have delivered presentations on the impacts of PFAS in their respective fields\, a panel discussion will be held to reflect on the links between specialisms\, how collaboration can help solve the challenge of PFAS management\, and where the interfaces are between land\, air and water in terms of PFAS mobility. \nThis event is free to IES members\, with a fee of £40 for non-members. You will be contacted after booking should your attendance require payment. \nIf you are not yet a member\, consider joining us for exclusive access to a wide range of resources\, events and professional development opportunities. \nPresentation topics\n\nPFAS in our Drinking Water: risks and regulatory response. This presentation from Prof. Chad Staddon\, will summarise current scientific knowledge about prevalence of PFAS in sources of drinking water\, associations with potential health impacts and regulatory responses. The key message to take away is that while there is strong consensus about prevalence and associations with health impact (but not causal mechanisms) national regulatory responses have been highly variable. The presentation will draw on Prof. Staddon et al’s recent review: “Forever Chemicals in Our Water!”: Prevalence of PFAS in Drinking Water\, Associated Health Risks\, and Approaches to Regulation.\nMeasurement of PFAS in UK ambient air using selected sites from the Defra/EA Toxic Organic Micropollutants Network\, delivered by Andy Sweetman. There are currently few data on PFAS in UK ambient air with most of the monitoring activity focussing on surface and groundwaters. A pilot study was carried out at selected Toxic Organic Micropollutants Network (TOMPs) sites over the period from June to September 2025 with analytical work carried out by Stockholm University. Funding for the study came from the Defra Multimedia Emission Inventory contract. Although a primary focus of the pilot study was on long-chain PFCAs (C9-C12)\, as they are newly added to the Stockholm Convention\, it was clear that PFBA was the most abundant PFAS\, followed by PFOA. Long-chain PFCAs were present and accounted for 8% of the total (C4-C13) for High Muffles (North Yorkshire)\, 17% for Manchester and 20% for Hazelrigg (Lancaster). These data will be discussed in the context on sources\, along with findings from a previous study carried which focused on diffuse emissions from a local fluoropolymer production facility.\nTowards Regulatory Readiness: Building the Evidence Base for Airborne PFAS Regulation. Delivered by Dr Pippa Douglas and Adam Clegg\, this presentation will provide an overview of the Environment Agency’s work to improve understanding of airborne PFAS\, including; (i) the development of environmental assessment levels and (ii) reviews to better understand (a) the characteristics of airborne PFAS emissions from regulated facilities and (b) methods for monitoring and evaluating airborne PFAS. It will highlight how emerging research is helping to address key evidence gaps and support future regulatory and risk assessment needs.\nPFAS in Landfill Emissions Andy will present an overview of Defra and the Environment Agency’s research into PFAS in landfills and landfill emissions\, including understanding the complexity of PFAS present in landfill leachate\, the impact of on site leachate treatment systems on PFAS concentrations and what investigations are being planned.\n\n  \nOur Chair\nDan Maher is a contaminated land professional with over 18 years’ experience in environmental regulation and consultancy. He is a chartered scientist with the Institution of Environmental Sciences. He spent over a decade working as a Local Authority regulator\, which has given him significant expertise in navigating the framework of regulation around contaminated land in the UK\, as well as developing skills in human health risk assessment\, site conceptualisation and data gap assessment. Since moving to consultancy\, Dan has worked on a variety of high-profile projects\, with an increasing focus on managing PFAS liability on permitted sites across the UK. \nOur speakers\nProfessor Chad Staddon is an internationally recognised water management scholar whose work advances understanding of drinking water safety\, urban water security and resilient water governance. His research examines how institutions\, infrastructure and communities shape safe\, reliable water provision\, with particular attention to risk\, inequality\, public health and sustainable water futures. \nAndy Sweetman is a Reader of Environmental Chemistry at Lancaster University\, with over thirty years research experience working both for a water industry based environmental consultancy and in research-based academia. His primary research involves investigation into the fate and behaviour of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging contaminants on UK\, European and global scales. He has led many sampling\, analysis and modelling projects\, including work to sample 40 PFAS in air as part of the work under the Defra POPs Multimedia Emissions Inventory project. He also manages the UK Toxic Organic Micro-Pollutants Network which provides Defra and the Environment Agency with long term ambient air monitoring data for POPs in support of obligations under the Stockholm Convention. Andy is also CoI on a current UKRI grant quantifying PFAS on a catchment scale which addresses sources\, fate and impacts. \nDr Pippa Douglas is a Principal Air Quality Scientist within the Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist’s Group\, where she leads research on emerging air pollutants\, including PFAS\, bioaerosols and microplastics. She has over 15 years’ experience in environmental public health and environmental epidemiology\, in academia\, UKHSA and now the Environment Agency. She holds honorary senior lectureships at the University of Leicester and the University of Essex. \nAdam Clegg is a Technical Director at Air Quality Consultants where he leads the industrial emissions and environmental permitting team. PFAS and\, in particular\, emissions to air of PFAS\, is a strong area of Adam’s expertise\, with over 20 years’ experience working with industry\, regulators and policy makers to monitor\, assess and control PFAS emissions to air across a variety of sectors including PFAS manufacture\, semiconductors\, textiles\, surface treatment processes and waste management. During this period\, he has led the PFAS emissions to air and water monitoring surveys for a fluoropolymer manufacturer for 15 years\, including supporting the development of new monitoring methods and completion of subsequent impact assessments with derivation of Environmental Assessment Levels for the PFAS compounds concerned. He was the Project Manager for a recently completed Environment Agency research study to identify the types of PFAS used in each UK industrial sector forming Annex I of the Industrial Emissions Directive\, characterise the resultant emissions to air\, and review available and emerging techniques for monitoring PFAS in ambient air. He is the Project Director for a European Commission study to identify and assess techniques to monitor\, prevent or reduce emissions of PFAS from industrial sites into the environment\, and is leading AQC’s efforts to develop a CTM modelling system more capable of accounting for the unique behaviour of PFAS in the atmosphere. \nAndy Oliver is a Contaminant Hydrogeologist and Landfill Engineer. He has worked in and around landfills for nearly 25 years and has extensive experience in landfill conceptualisation and risk assessment. He has been investigating PFAS in landfill emissions with the Environment Agency for four years. \nImage credit: Peter Togel via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/taking-a-holistic-approach-to-pfas-in-land-air-and-water/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Toxic-PFOS-and-PFAS-Firefighting-Foam-Contaminates-Street-Peter-Togel-via-AdobeStock-scaled.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T131500
DTSTAMP:20260824T150407Z
CREATED:20260804T105522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T150407Z
UID:10000043-1788870600-1788873300@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Nature as infrastructure: Building climate resilience through Nature-Based Solutions
DESCRIPTION:As climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding\, drought\, overheating\, and other environmental pressures\, there is a growing need to rethink how we plan\, design\, and manage infrastructure. This webinar explores how nature can be recognised and utilised as a critical form of infrastructure\, delivering essential services that improve resilience while providing wider benefits for people\, water\, climate\, and biodiversity. \nThe session will examine how Nature-Based Solutions\, including wetlands\, floodplain restoration\, green infrastructure\, and habitat networks\, can help communities and infrastructure systems adapt to climate change. Attendees will learn how working with natural processes can reduce climate risks\, improve water management\, enhance biodiversity\, support carbon reduction\, and create more resilient places. \nDrawing on practical examples and lessons learned from across the UK and internationally\, Laura Liddaman and Hannah Patrick will discuss how integrating nature into decision making can help organisations move beyond traditional approaches to resilience and create systems that are better equipped to respond to future climate challenges. \nThis webinar is free and open to all. \nOur speakers\nHannah Patrick is a Climate Adaptation Consultant within the Sustainable Futures team at AtkinsRéalis. Specialising in climate risk\, resilience and adaptation planning\, she supports clients in understanding and responding to the challenges posed by a changing climate. \nHannah works with infrastructure owners and organisations to identify climate vulnerabilities\, assess future risks and develop practical adaptation strategies that enhance long-term resilience. Her expertise spans climate adaptation policy\, resilience assessment and the integration of climate considerations into infrastructure planning and decision making. Hannah is passionate about helping organisations prepare for future climate impacts and build more resilient communities and assets. \nDr Laura Liddaman is the Service Line Director for Nature-Based Solutions at AtkinsRéalis\, leading the development and delivery of nature-led approaches that help clients address climate change\, biodiversity loss\, water management\, and infrastructure resilience. With over a decade of experience in the water and environmental sector\, Laura has worked across flood risk management\, catchment planning\, natural capital\, and climate resilience. \nShe is passionate about embedding nature at the heart of infrastructure and investment decisions\, helping clients unlock solutions that deliver benefits for people\, nature\, water\, and climate. Laura has led major programmes in natural flood management\, constructed wetlands and catchment-scale resilience\, and is a recognised advocate for the role of nature-based solutions in creating more sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure. \nHeader image credit: © Cavan via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/nature-as-infrastructure-building-climate-resilience-through-nature-based-solutions/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:IES Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Flooded-sheep-field-©-Cavan.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261029T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261029T131500
DTSTAMP:20260810T091033Z
CREATED:20260810T091033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T091033Z
UID:10000044-1793277000-1793279700@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Are we really applying a systems approach to natural flood management?
DESCRIPTION:A systems approach views an issue as part of a larger\, interconnected whole rather than one component in isolation. The approach focuses on the relationships\, patterns\, and feedback loops among a system’s individual parts to anticipate unintended consequences and find lasting solutions. The term ‘natural flood management’ (NFM) entered our lexicon in the early 2000s to articulate the concept of enhancing the environment to reduce flood risk and to signal a shift away from ‘hard’ engineering solutions. \nIn this webinar\, the current appetite for promoting and implementing NFM will be examined through a systems-thinking lens. The hypothesis that our current approach to NFM embraces systems thinking will be interrogated through the use of real and conceptual examples from the UK and the conclusions will examine whether more environmentally sustainable outcomes could be delivered. \nThis webinar is free and open to all. \n\nOur speaker\nRob McInnes is Managing Director of RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd\, a former Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University\, an independent Chartered Environmentalist and an accredited Professional Wetland Scientist with over 35 years’ experience in wetland-related environmental research\, consultancy and conservation. He has worked on over 600 wetland-related projects both within the UK and in over 40 other countries and has knowledge extending across a range of wetland types from upland peatlands to lowland floodplains and urban lakes to domestic ponds. Rob has supported the work of intergovernmental agencies such as CBD\, UNESCO\, UN-Habitat and\, in particular\, the Convention on Wetlands (‘Ramsar Convention’) where he served on their Scientific and Technical Review Panel for 15 years. Rob also undertakes both practical and policy-related projects and training and capacity-building initiatives for local governments\, governmental institutions\, private companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Wildlife Trusts\, the National Trust\, IUCN and Wetlands International and is currently an advisor to several of the UK’s Rivers Trusts. \nPrior to working independently\, Rob was a Director at a UK-based independent ecological consultancy. Before this he was Head of Wetland Conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Managing Director of their specialist wetland consultancy\, WWT Consulting. He has also worked in academia at the University of Exeter and Royal Holloway and in private consultancy. Rob established RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd in 2011 as a specialist consultancy dedicated to the delivery of the wise use of wetlands with the intention of making the business obsolete by the time he retired. \nIn addition to his project work Rob is a former President of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)\, was elected as an International Fellow of SWS in 2018\, has served as a board member of SWS\, an Associate Editor on SWS’s journal Wetlands and has been awarded the President’s Service Award for the significant contributions he has made in promoting the goals of the Society. He is a former President of the SWS Professional Certification Program. Rob was previously an Associate Professor at the Institute of Land\, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University\, Australia. He regularly publishes articles in peer-reviewed papers\, books\, conference proceedings and more popular press items and presents findings of scientific and applied aspects of wetlands at international conferences and workshops as well as at local and site levels for non-expert audiences. \nOver his lifetime\, it is estimated that the world has lost more than 13% of its remaining wetlands. This loss continues today. \nHeader image credit: © Alan Smithers via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/are-we-really-applying-a-systems-approach-to-natural-flood-management/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Twyford-Bridge-on-the-River-Medway-during-a-flood-UK-©-Alan-Smithers-via-Adobe-Stock-scaled.jpeg
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