Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment

Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment

We have a strong track record of providing clients with robust assessments of ecological damage and accurate assessments of ecosystem recovery time.

The water quality of UK rivers and other waterbodies is protected from pollution and over abstraction by a consenting system under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for which the Environment Agency (EA) is the regulator. 

Water companies and other significant water users are required to undertake regular water quality monitoring in rivers to ensure compliance with their discharge and abstraction consents.

A number of waterbodies in the UK which receive protection under Habitats and Species Regulations 2018 are now considered to contain excessive nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) as a result of sewage discharges.  Excessive nutrients lead to a process called eutrophication which causes algal blooms and leads to a degradation in water quality.  Developers with planning applications in catchments which drain into these catchments are now required to determine whether their development will result in a net increase in nutrients and propose specific mitigation to offset and increases.   

What we do

Thomson’s water team are experienced in the collection of water quality samples using EA approved methods and work with a range of UKAS accredited commercial laboratories to undertake the analysis of water to the appropriate limits of detection.  An analysis of the resulting laboratory data is undertaken against the appropriate thresholds or Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) and through reviews of relevant scientific literature.  

We provide field teams to support water company clients with their long-term water quality monitoring programmes and support developers and other clients by undertaking one off or short-term sampling.  Advice on remediation measures is also provided in response to accidental pollution incidents.  

We undertake nutrient neutrality assessments for clients with planning applications in catchments where waste water will be discharged to a waterbody deemed by Natural England to be eutrophic.

We also offer freshwater ecological surveys and water quality monitoring that is designed to assess the effectiveness of implemented remediation measures and provide evidence of ongoing ecological enhancement.

To discuss your requirements or to find out more about the aquatic pollution services that we offer, please contact us today.

 

 Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment

Sector Expertise
We have a deep understanding of certain sectors and can provide the right solution

Our expertise and knowledge is acquired through our extensive experience working within certain sectors and fully understanding their circumstances.

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Our people make us who we are

A career with Thomson offers you great opportunities for professional and personal development and the chance to achieve your potential in a strongly values-led business.

Services Freshwater Ecology Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment