Water Resources

Projects Insights Webinars Sectors Services Join our team

At WSP, we take a holistic and sustainable approach to managing water—one of Earth’s most vital, yet increasingly strained, natural resources. Our water experts collaborate across disciplines to help clients safeguard, restore, and optimise water systems. Whether addressing supply challenges, mitigating flood risks, helping our clients meet water quality targets, or restoring aquatic ecosystems, we blend innovation with integrity to deliver outcomes that are technically sound and environmentally responsible.

As a core focus area, our Water Resources experts provide comprehensive services across the entire water cycle. We guide clients in managing groundwater and surface water sustainably, protecting coastal and riverine systems, and engineering resilient infrastructure. Our approach integrates science, engineering, and policy to balance human use with ecological health.

Key Services:

Abstraction management strategies
Flood risk assessment and mitigation
Hydrological and hydraulic modelling
Groundwater and surface water monitoring

Mine water and tailings water management
Coastal restoration and wetland rehabilitation
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) design
Pollution control and incident response

Planning, EIA, Ecology, and Permitting

Water is a foundational element in environmental planning. Our experts conduct comprehensive water-related baseline studies and impact assessments as part of environmental and social due diligence. From wetlands to marine habitats, we help clients navigate complex permit approval processes while ensuring that water-dependent ecosystems are protected and restored.

Key Services:

Water-related Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs)
Wetland, riverine, and marine ecology assessments
Stakeholder and regulator engagement
Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)
Permitting support for water-dependent infrastructure

Environmental Due Diligence, Management, and Compliance

Navigating water-related compliance is critical for operations and project development. We support clients with water quality assessments, resource audits, and risk evaluations that align with environmental regulations. Our experts design monitoring programmes and ensure environmental management systems account for both water use and discharge responsibilities.

Key Services:

Water quality and pollution risk assessments
Compliance audits for water-related operations
Environmental management system (EMS) integration
Permit support and regulatory reporting
Site monitoring and environmental due diligence

Contaminated Land and Geo-Sciences

Groundwater protection and restoration are critical to environmental and public health. Our teams provide end-to-end support for groundwater investigations, remediation of contaminated sites, and hydrogeological modelling. We help clients manage environmental liabilities while returning degraded land and water systems to productive use.

Key Services:

Hydrogeological and contaminant transport modelling
Groundwater remediation system design
Sustainable remediation strategies
Mine site closure and water quality restoration
Regulatory negotiation and permitting support

Climate Change, Energy, and Sustainability

Water sits at the heart of climate resilience. Our sustainability advisers support clients in managing water consumption, developing water reduction strategies, and integrating water stewardship into corporate sustainability and ESG reporting. We develop plans that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assess climate-related water risks, and design adaptation strategies that improve water security in a changing climate.

Key Services:

Water consumption audits and reduction planning
Sustainability and ESG reporting
SDG-aligned water strategy development
Climate risk assessments tied to water scarcity and flooding
Integration of water stewardship into broader sustainability goals

Mine Environment

Mine water is one of the most complex and regulated aspects of resource development. Our integrated teams provide services that span water quality modelling, treatment system design, tailings water balance, stormwater management and compliance. We help mining clients reduce their water footprints, manage risk, and close sites responsibly.

Key Services:

Mine water balance and treatment design
Tailings water management and reuse planning
Hydrological and hydraulic modelling
Flood risk assessment and mitigation
Closure planning with water quality restoration
Biodiversity protection in aquatic mine environments
Permitting support and public engagement

Waste Management and Landfills

Water management is integral to responsible waste operations. Our specialists address leachate management, landfill design, and groundwater protection to ensure that surrounding ecosystems and communities are safeguarded. We provide water-related assessments and solutions for landfill gas, hazardous materials, and recycling systems.

Key Services:

Leachate collection, treatment, and monitoring
Landfill design with groundwater protection measures
Water audits and efficiency strategies in waste systems
Waste-to-energy planning with integrated water considerations
Hazardous wastewater management and containment

Geotechnical and Materials

Geotechnical performance and water are deeply interconnected. Our geotechnical engineers assess how water influences soil and rock behaviour and design solutions that ensure the long-term stability of water-impacted structures such as dams, tailings facilities, and retaining walls.

Key Services:

Tailings dam and mine water containment system design
Groundwater-structure interaction analysis
Materials testing and control in wet conditions
Erosion and sediment control planning
Construction supervision of water-retaining structures

Hydrology, Flood Risk Management and Urban Stormwater Management

To protect new and existing developments of all kinds, our water experts develop bespoke solutions tailored to locations and criticalities. Using specialist modelling and GIS software, we calculate rainfall runoff, assess inundation risks, and map potential hazards. Next, we create tailored solutions that prioritise green infrastructure, low-impact design, and water-sensitive urban drainage, helping communities adapt with resilience and thrive for the future.

Key Services:

Hydrology and 1D/2D hydraulic modelling
Morphological studies
Flood risk assessment
Stormwater network modelling
Surface and sub-surface drainage design
Green infrastructure / SuDS design
Dams assessment and design

Municipal Water Infrastructure

Effective planning and design of water utilities is central to shaping liveable cities. At WSP, we use advanced modelling tools to plan and manage transmission, distribution, collection and conveyance pipelines and pumping systems. Our integrated solutions address climate-related risks, future demands and improve resilience.

Key Services:

Pressure and gravity network modelling
Network design and BIM modelling
Tertiary irrigation design
Hydraulic and civil structures design

Applied Solutions

Where needed, we deliver water-related infrastructure and remediation projects as a prime contractor. This includes the design and construction of wetlands, leachate treatment systems, and water remediation plants. These solutions provide our clients with trusted delivery and environmental accountability.

Key Services:

Construction of wetlands and ecosystem restoration projects
Water remediation and treatment system construction
Mine water containment and treatment facilities
Groundwater and stormwater management infrastructure

Stewarding the World’s Water, Together

From strategy to construction, we help clients meet today’s water challenges with foresight and purpose. Whether you’re safeguarding community water supplies, reducing environmental impact, or planning for future resilience, WSP is your trusted partner in sustainable water solutions.

Projects

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Yas Bay Waterfront Destination

Yas Bay is a new waterfront destination development located on the southern part of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It will be one of the UAE’s most iconic and vibrant waterfront destinations offering a broad array of entertainment options including restaurants, hotels and a state-of-the-art multi-purpose arena. The destination will include a waterfront promenade and a pier with more than 50 cafés and restaurants, 20 retail outlets, a cinema, a beach club, and two hotels.

Saudi Arabia

Transforming flood risks into resilience

With people-centred engineering, the Jeddah Storm Water Program (JSWP) is more than an infrastructure initiative. It’s a transformative effort to protect lives, build resilience, and shape a more secure future for the people of Jeddah.

Projects

Babil Province Water and Sewerage Master Plan

New water and sewer systems for Iraq’s Babil province

Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Iraq’s Babil province was the site of several ancient civilizations. The province, located south of Baghdad, contains a large network of irrigation canals that were once fed by the Euphrates River. Due to its proximity to fresh water sources, this area is part of the “Fertile Crescent.”