Water resources management

Integrated approach to water resources

Population growth, industry and irrigation, combined with the effect of climate change, area all increasing the demand for water. Water resource management encompasses a wide range of disciplines and expertise – including water supply, irrigation, flood risk management, drainage and hydropower. Our integrated approach to water resources ensures that the management, development and utilisation of water resources take socioeconomic, environmental and technical factors into account.

International experience

We have decades of experience in water resource management. We have an impressive portfolio of projects for international aid organisations, governmental institutions, municipalities and water supply companies. Our 200+ engineers, geologists, geophysicists, chemists, sociologists, agronomists and hydrologists mean that we can offer our customers a suite of technical and management know-how. We deliver services in water management to small waterworks as well as to large multinational organisations and companies.

Groundwater resource management

The utilisation and protection of groundwater resources requires a thorough understanding of the availability and movement of water in the subsurface – the discipline of hydrogeology. Our expertise and services include:

• Mapping of quality and quantity based on geochemical and hydrochemical sampling and analyses, pump tests, well logging, geophysical mapping, geological models and numerical models
• Mapping and modelling of quantity and quality interactions between groundwater and surface water bodies
• Mapping of threats from pollutants; including point sources and non-point sources (such as agricultural use of pesticides and nitrate)
• Geochemical modelling, including conceptual and computerised models (such as PHREEQC)
• Digital 3D geological modelling
•  Vulnerability mapping of aquifers, bringing together geology, hydrogeology, water chemistry, and present and former land-use
• Inventories of groundwater catchment areas
• Water resource planning and policy making together with our customers and public stakeholders
• Action plans for groundwater protection in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, for example
• GIS, Web-GIS and general water IT solutions
• Institutional capacity building
  

Hydrology and river basin management

Rivers, streams and lakes are the main sources of fresh water. River basin management requires a comprehensive policy framework in which water is seen as an economic asset. In this model, management and delivery structures are decentralised, while stakeholders enjoy greater participation. We offer:

• Hydrological mapping and modelling aimed at determining water quality and water balance in specific catchment areas
• Feasibility studies for water supply 
• Action plans for surface water protection and utilisation which we balance with the need for sustainability – such as the integration of the priorities in Natura 2000 and the EU Water Framework Directive 
• Water resource planning and policy making in collaboration with our customers and public stakeholders
• Inventories of river basin catchment areas
• GIS, Web-GIS and general water IT solutions
• Institutional capacity building

Flood risk management

We offer:

• Flood modelling and master plans for flood protection and adapting to climate change
• Strategic flood risk assessment
• Catchment flood management plans
• Flood compensation assessment
• Flood risk forecasting

Numerical modelling

Numerical models are essential tools for describing the complexity of the movement of water, whether it is surface or groundwater. The models are used to assess, for example, the impact of groundwater abstraction or the change in flow patterns.

Our experts master a suite of modelling tools covering the complete water cycle:

• MODFLOW simulates the flow of groundwater through aquifers
• MIKE-SHE simulates the flow of groundwater through aquifers and the interaction with surface water
• MIKE11 simulates flows, water quality and sediment transport in estuaries, rivers, irrigation systems, channels and other water bodies
• MIKE21 simulates flows, waves, sediments and ecology in rivers, lakes, estuaries, bays, coastal areas and seas
• MIKE-FLOOD covers all the major aspects of flood modelling. It integrates flood plains, streets, rivers and sewer/storm water systems
• FEE-Flow models density driven transport in aquifers – as used for modelling the impact of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage
• CORMIX is a USEPA-supported mixing zone model and decision support system for environmental impact assessment of regulatory mixing zones resulting from continuous point source discharges
• PHREEQC is used for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculation

Water geophysics

We lead the Northern European geophysical services market in construction works and environmental projects. In Water resources management we offer the following services:

• A complete suite of borehole logging tools - conductivity, temperature, resistivity, natural gamma ray, spectral gamma, sonic, neutron, VSP (vertical seismic profiling), flow log tool
• Surface geoelectrical surveys – Pulled Array Continuous Electrical Sounding (PACES), Continuous Vertical Electrical Sounding (CVES) and Magnetic Resonance Soundings (MRS)
• Conventional and Pulled array seismic surveys

Water economics

Our experts provide economic analyses of the consequences of action plans related to the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Flood Directive. The Flood Directive also calls for:

• Socioeconomic analysis of water resources and water supply (and waste water) projects
• Analysis of public paying willingness for water supply (and sanitation)
• Economic analysis of the costs and benefits of water projects

Water framework directive

In Europe, the Water Framework Directive defines European ambitions for the protection of our precious water resources. It is meant to prevent further deterioration to aquatic ecosystems and associated wetlands, especially NATURA 2000 sites. It includes the protection of coastal waters.

It aims to promote sustainable water consmption, reduce water pollution and to ensure the progressive reduction of groundwater pollution. The directive takes a holistic approach to these topics, requiring public stakeholder involvement and socioeconomic studies to form part of the planning and implementation process.

The integration of Ramboll’s expertise in groundwater resources, river basin management, shareholder involvement and water economics enables us to assist our customers with challenges posed by the Water Framework Directive.

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES)

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) – also known as groundwater heating and cooling – is a sustainable, environmentally friendly technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions. ATES aims to balance the input and output of energy to the aquifer. This prevents the thermal heating of groundwater in catchment areas for water supply abstractions.

Ramboll has been involved in several ATES projects. Our teams of cooling and heating specialists conduct projects and services, drawing on the skills of our experts in hydrogeology, hydraulic modelling and groundwater resource policy as and when needed.

Related services

• Waste water
• Polluted soil and water
• Geophysical surveys
• Climate change management
• Water supply
• Natural resource management
• Land-use planning and development