The country's only independent swimming pool water monitor has a new chairman. The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) has elected Howard Gosling to replace Ralph Riley, whose five-year term ended in June. After ten years as the group's treasurer, Howard Gosling is clear about the continuing importance of PWTAG.

'It has never been more crucial for PWTAG to exert its influence on pool water management. As long as there are pools designed and managed less well than our guidelines specify, we need to be active. And there are always fresh challenges facing pool and spa managers.'

Howard Gosling, a graduate in biology and chemistry, has a 30-year career in the swimming pool and spa industry. He has represented the Swimming Pool & Allied Trades Association (of which he is past president) on PWTAG since 1990. Among many other affiliations, he is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, chartered biologist of the Institute of Biology and a fellow of the Water Management Society. A former director of water treatment at Certikin International, he is currently a consultant, lecturer and trainer in recreational water treatment as well as an expert witness, accredited mediator and dangerous goods safety adviser.

Howard Gosling is replaced as PWTAG treasurer by Stephen Carder, the representative of the British Association for Chemical Specialities.

Howard Gosling is very optimistic about his term in the chair.

'Under Ralph Riley's excellent chairmanship, PWTAG's influence has been felt as far afield as the World Health Organisation and the British Standards Institution. The new edition of our book, Swimming Pool Water, due out before the end of the year, will cover pools and spas of every type used by humans. I am confident that PWTAG can go from strength to strength.'