AECOM and the Environment Agency are working together to improve the assessment and regulation of water bodies.
AECOM has partnered with the Environment Agency to deliver Water Framework Directive (WFD) Mitigation Measures for Heavily Modified Water Bodies across Yorkshire and the North East. This project is a major advancement in how the WFD is assessed and regulated, with nearly 200 WFD heavily modified water bodies, covering some 6,000km2 and 13,500km of watercourses, being analysed for environmental impacts and mitigation.
Bespoke automated mapping systems
To create a standardised environmental baseline for the entirety of Yorkshire and the North East, AECOM developed bespoke automated mapping systems capable of processing a wide range of open-source data into thematic maps and metrics for each water body. This provided a consistent foundation for identifying and mapping mitigation measures, allowing for restoration measures to be targeted and prioritised from a single dataset for the first time at this scale. Between 40 and 200 measures were identified for each water body, depending on its size and baseline environment qualities. Multi-criteria analyses were then used to provide initial ranking scores for each measure on every watercourse. Long lists of measures were presented in mitigation workshops to the Environment Agency ecology, flood risk, and assets teams to integrate local officer knowledge and prioritise the most important actions.
Efficient GIS database for mitigation
The new single GIS database allows annotated actions to be displayed at the click of a button for a range of themes, at water body, catchment, and regional scales. As the project progresses, the agreed ca. 50 highest scoring Mitigation Measure Actions will be progressed to RIBA stage 2 concept designs, including general arrangements, engineering requirements, illustrative plans, costings, and carbon benefits, supporting the Environment Agency in delivering its cycle 3 River Basin Management Plans.
Innovative collaboration
Throughout the project, AECOM's focus on innovation and collaboration was key to its success. The bespoke automated mapping systems developed were innovative and powerful, providing a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts and mitigation measures required. Collaboration with the Environment Agency was integral to the project's success, ensuring that local knowledge and expertise were integrated into the process. Overall, AECOM's innovative use of automated mapping systems and multi-criteria analyses has provided a comprehensive, standardised, and integrated approach to the assessment and regulation of WFD water bodies in Yorkshire and the North East. The project's results are impressive, providing the Environment Agency with a clear roadmap for delivering its cycle 3 River Basin Management Plans. This project demonstrates the importance of collaboration and the application of cutting-edge technology to solve complex infrastructure challenges, benefiting the environment and the local community.