Sampling must be completed in line with the regulations and the presence of biological materials, metals or other contaminants in drinking water, has to be below defined limits. The Natural Environment Research Council invests heavily in water and hydrology research. Its Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, with nine laboratories around Britain, employs 500 scientists and engineers. Wallingford is home to the old Institute of Hydrology, which investigates the effects of land use, climate, topography and geology on the volume and character of water resources. There are good opportunities to progress your career in the water industry, or to make a career move into it, through further academic study.
Several universities offer postgrad courses.
Cranfield University runs courses at master's and doctoral level in water and waste water technology. Scientists at its pilot plant are developing membrane systems for water treatment and processing of municipal and industrial waste water. Other universities offering specialist studies relating to water, include Brunel with its water operational research centre. Imperial College, City University, University of Wales, Bangor, and Newcastle University all run active postgraduate courses in water or hydrology. While postdoctoral scientists with six-years experience working on water projects in a university can earn 25,200 a year, a project manager is paid up to 37,000.