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As of November 2022, "GW-SW" offers international simulation services, using the services of Nanjing Smart Technology Development Co. Ltd. This foreign-owned Chinese company currently has six full-time technical staff, of whom five have MS degrees or higher. We have access to other resources and could quickly provide a larger team if needed. The core team has skills in groundwater modelling (FEFLOW and MODFLOW), surface hydraulic modelling (SWMM, HEC-RAS, TUFLOW and EPANET), risk-based systems modelling (GoldSim), analytical and numerical solutions (Mathematica and MATLAB) and simulation of Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs, formerly known as WWTPs, using any of the commercial simulators ASIM, BioWin, GPS-X, SIMBA#, Sumo and WEST, or our own recently developed WRRM1 and WRRM2 which have been proven to be identical to IWA benchmark models BSM1 and BSM2). All members of the technical team have skills in software development, including the development of internet-based platforms that support real-time predictive models, as part of Digital Twins. Dr Townley is a member of the Management Committee of the Modelling and Integrated Assessment (MIA) Specialist Group of the International Water Association (IWA), and is focused on developing and applying methods for improving water quality in the environment, as well as improving the performance of WRRFs, to reduce cost, energy usage and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

From a legal point of view in Australia, we are GW-SW Pty Ltd, ACN 069 270 846, ABN 54 069 270 846.

T&A: The company was incorporated as Townley & Associates Pty Ltd ("T&A") in 1995 by Dr Lloyd Townley, at that time for the specific purpose of owning the intellectual property in groundwater modelling software known as AQUIFEM-N. After the founder left CSIRO Land and Water in August 1997, the company commenced trading as an environmental consultancy, preparing environmental impact statements for proposed mining projects and undertaking hydrological and groundwater modelling studies of various kinds.

Rio Tinto: In 2005, Townley & Associates Pty Ltd changed its name to NTEC Services Pty Ltd ("NTEC") and adopted a business name "NTEC Environmental Technology" to reflect its activities reselling software and instrumentation (including weather stations, water level sensors and rugged handheld computers). For nearly four years, until mid 2009, the company's activities were restricted to resale of software and instrumentation, while the founder worked as a full-time employee of Rio Tinto.

NTEC: From mid 2009 to late 2012, NTEC offered consulting services in simulation and environmental impact assessment, especially related to water and mining. Our expertise grew to include include simulation of the potential environmental impacts of coal seam gas production. We grew quickly from 1 to 11 staff in a period of 30 months.

CDM Smith: In February 2013, NTEC Services Pty Ltd changed its name to GW-SW Pty Ltd. On 19 February 2013, the consulting business operated by NTEC became part of CDM Smith. CDM Smith acquired the right to use the business name "NTEC Environmental Technology" and employed eight of NTEC's staff. NTEC's links with CDM Smith date to the late 1970s. At that time, NTEC's founder was a student in Cambridge MA, and was introduced to a small team of water engineers at CDM. CDM Smith continues to use modelling software known as DYNSYSTEM which evolved in parallel with AQUIFEM-1 and AQUIFEM-N. "GW-SW" contined to resell commercial modelling software on behalf of software developers based in Australia, North America and Europe. In July 2017, Dr Townley left CDM Smith. All other former NTEC employees have also left CDM Smith; some have key roles in the mining industry (Rio Tinto Iron Ore and FMG) and consulting (GHD).

GW-SW: Since July 2017, "GW-SW" has continued to offer consulting services, focused mainly on high-level expert review of groundwater modelling for impact assessment of proposed mining projects and projects related to development of coal seam gas. With more than 40 years of experience in this field, and as an author of the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines (2012), Dr Townley is recognised internationally as an expert in groundwater modelling, in groundwater - surface interaction and in model calibration and uncertainty analysis. He has experience working on more than 200 projects, of which more than half are in the mining sector. "GW-SW" no longer resells or supports commercial software developed by others. Our current ability to provide services offshore is based on the establishment of a skilful balanced team in Nanjing and a wide network of potential collaborators.

If you have any questions about our capabilities and services, please contact us.

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