Business Details
20 Years
experience
Expert Environmental and Flood Risk Consultancy Services
Established in 2006, Water Environment provides specialist technical consulting services focused on water and environmental engineering sectors. Our expertise spans flood risk assessments, environmental impact evaluations, and engineering solutions for developments ranging from single dwellings to large-scale infrastructure projects. Our team of chartered engineers and scientists delivers tailored advice to support planning applications and address drainage, flooding, and environmental challenges across the UK.We prioritise collaborative client relationships, offering responsive and transparent solutions that have earned long-term trust from private-sector developers. Our technical specialists contribute to published research in hydrology, hydraulic modelling, and air quality, maintaining industry leadership through innovation and rigorous standards. With offices in London, we serve clients nationwide, combining local knowledge with national expertise to ensure sustainable, compliant outcomes for every project.
Services
Flood Risk Assessments
Environmental Impact Assessments
Drainage Strategies
Flood Defence Design
Hydrological Modelling
Air Quality Assessments
River Diversions
BREEAM Assessments
Nutrient Neutrality Assessments
Development Appraisals
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ years of specialist experience in flood risk and environmental engineering since 2006
- Our team includes chartered engineers and scientists with published research expertise
- We provide nationwide UK coverage with local knowledge of London and South East regions
- Our technical specialists contribute to industry-leading research in hydrology and air quality
- We maintain direct client relationships with transparent, solution-focused project delivery
Associations and certifications
- Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
Services
Flood Risk Assessments
We conduct detailed Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) to support planning applications, evaluating site-specific flood hazards from rivers, surface water, and groundwater. Our assessments comply with National Planning Policy Framework requirements, identifying mitigation measures to ensure development safety. Our Environment Agency-approved methodologies help clients secure planning permission for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Our Environmental Impact Assessments evaluate potential ecological, hydrological, and air quality effects of proposed developments. We identify mitigation strategies to meet regulatory requirements, preparing technical reports for Local Planning Authorities. Our assessments cover water resources, biodiversity, and pollution control, ensuring compliance with EU Water Framework Directive and UK environmental legislation.
Hydrological Modelling
We create advanced hydrological models to predict river flow peaks and flood hydrographs for design storms. Using industry-standard software, we analyse catchment characteristics and rainfall data to inform flood defence design. Our models support infrastructure projects, drainage strategies, and floodplain management plans across urban and rural environments.
Flood Defence Design
We design Environment Agency-approved flood defences for riverside and coastal schemes, including embankments, walls, and floodgates. Our solutions incorporate hydraulic modelling and geotechnical analysis to ensure structural integrity. We manage projects from concept design through to construction supervision, delivering protection for residential areas, commercial sites, and critical infrastructure.
Sustainable Drainage Systems
We develop Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to manage surface water runoff for major developments. Our designs include permeable pavements, detention basins, and swales that mimic natural drainage processes. We ensure compliance with planning requirements while enhancing biodiversity and reducing flood risks through integrated water management solutions.
People
Tony Clothier
Director
Co-founder with 18 years' experience in flood risk management and hydraulic modelling. Leads technical delivery of major projects, specialising in river engineering and floodplain compensation strategies. Holds chartered status with ICE and contributes to industry research on hydrological modelling.
Guy Laister
Director
Co-founder and environmental specialist with expertise in water quality assessments and regulatory compliance. Oversees environmental permitting and EIA projects, ensuring alignment with EU directives and UK legislation. Leads multidisciplinary teams for large-scale infrastructure developments across the UK.
Questions
What flood risk services do you offer?
We provide Flood Risk Assessments, hydrological modelling, flood defence design, and sustainable drainage solutions for planning applications and existing developments.
Do you work on large-scale developments?
Yes, we handle projects from single dwellings to major government infrastructure schemes with hundreds of homes across the UK.
Are your engineers accredited?
Our team includes chartered engineers with ICE and CIWEM, with published research expertise in hydrology and environmental engineering.
How do you handle environmental compliance?
We conduct Environmental Impact Assessments, air quality analyses, and Water Framework Directive assessments to meet regulatory requirements.
Can you assist with planning applications?
Yes, we prepare flood risk assessments, drainage strategies, and mitigation plans to support successful planning submissions.
