Business Details
37 Years
experience
Environmental Services in Hampshire
Cain Bio-Engineering has been a leader in aquatic habitat restoration for over 25 years. Founded in 1989 following pioneering work on the River Wylye, the company specialises in river restoration, erosion control, and wetland creation using environmentally sympathetic techniques. Our team combines engineering expertise with ecological knowledge to deliver tailored solutions for rivers, canals, tidal zones, and stillwaters. We work with clients ranging from riparian homeowners to Highways England, prioritising biodiversity and sustainable practices. Accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, we maintain a strong commitment to quality and environmental management.With projects across the UK, including protected chalk streams and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, we address complex challenges like fish passage barriers and infrastructure protection. Our end-to-end service covers consultation, design, and construction, supported by in-house consultants and skilled operations teams. Recognised as 'The River Doctors' for our expertise, we provide informed advice from initial site assessments to full project implementation. We actively promote environmental stewardship through initiatives like wetland enhancement and sustainable material sourcing.
Services
River restoration
Erosion control
Fish passage solutions
Wetland creation
Stillwater projects
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have 25+ years of specialist experience in aquatic bio-engineering
- Our team includes in-house engineering and design consultants
- We hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality and environmental accreditations
- We deliver tailored solutions for protected environments like SSSIs
- We pioneered river restoration techniques on UK chalk streams since 1989
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- Achilles
What people say
Great job done
Successful restoration
Professional team
Effective solutions
Ecological expertise
Services
River restoration
We restore natural river processes and habitats using soft-engineering techniques. Our specialists address channelisation, dredging impacts, and habitat degradation while maintaining ecological integrity. Projects include chalk stream rehabilitation and fish passage improvements across protected environments like SSSIs and Ramsar sites.
Erosion control
We implement sustainable solutions for riverbank and tidal erosion challenges. Our methods combine geotechnical engineering with ecological principles to protect infrastructure while enhancing aquatic habitats. This includes coirnet revetments and brushwood mattresses in sensitive locations like the Severn Estuary.
Fish passage solutions
We design and construct fish passes to overcome migration barriers caused by weirs and dams. Our solutions facilitate movement for species like salmon, trout, and eels in rivers including the Bourne Rivulet and Childrey Brook while maintaining water management requirements.
Wetland creation
We develop wetland habitats that support biodiversity and provide natural water management. Our projects integrate with landscape features and include water level management systems, off-line habitats, and restoration of historic water features like Norman mill ponds.
Stillwater projects
We design and restore ponds, lakes, and water gardens for ecological and functional purposes. Our work includes dam repairs, Scheduled Ancient Monument conservation, and creating multi-pool cascades while addressing groundwater interactions and aquatic plant requirements.
Questions
What river restoration services do you offer?
We specialise in chalk stream rehabilitation, fish passage solutions, and habitat restoration using environmentally sensitive techniques across protected watercourses.
How do you address erosion control challenges?
We use soft-engineering methods like coirnet revetments and brushwood mattresses to stabilise banks while maintaining ecological functions in rivers and tidal zones.
Are you accredited for environmental standards?
Yes, we hold ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation and ISO 9001 quality standards certification for our aquatic engineering solutions.
Can you work in protected areas?
We have extensive experience delivering projects within SSSIs, SACs, and Ramsar sites while maintaining strict ecological compliance and heritage considerations.
What project support do you provide?
We offer end-to-end services including site assessment, design, construction, and post-project monitoring with in-house engineering and ecological expertise.
