From Abstraction to Action: Supporting Environmental Destination
As part of a pioneering collaboration, APEM Group worked alongside WSP and HR Wallingford to develop a robust and future-focused...
APEM Group - Case Study
As part of a pioneering collaboration, APEM Group worked alongside WSP and HR Wallingford to develop a robust and future-focused assessment framework that supports the identification and delivery of an ‘Environmental Destination’ for 2050 and beyond. This initiative responds to increasing pressures on water resources caused by climate change and aims to support water companies across the UK and Republic of Ireland in maintaining resilient water supplies while also enhancing ecological health and biodiversity in low flow catchments.
This forward-looking work provides a structured approach to setting sustainable abstraction regimes, helping the water sector move from reactive management to long-term strategic planning. The framework is designed to help regulators, water companies, abstractors and wider stakeholders make informed, evidence-based decisions that align with ecological thresholds and climate resilience goals.
Key Stats
- Project partners: APEM Group, WSP, HR Wallingford
- 34 stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors
- Supports environmental planning to 2050 and beyond
- Supporting toolkit includes: compendium of datasets, and modelling tools; guide to hydro-ecological modelling; practitioner guidance; review of interactional approaches; research gap analysis
- Applicable to: all UK and Republic of Ireland water companies and regulators
Project Challenges
The key challenge was to create a framework that allows water companies and other abstractors to balance long-term water security with environmental sustainability under future climate scenarios. Existing approaches were often inconsistent or reactive, making it difficult to identify appropriate, catchment-specific environmental flow targets. The need for a harmonised, science-based toolkit to support a shared understanding of ‘environmental destination’ was clear, particularly in the face of growing ecological pressures on watercourses.
Another significant challenge was the coordination of multiple stakeholders – regulators, abstractors, water companies and environmental groups – each with different priorities, technical capabilities and regulatory frameworks.
APEM Group Solution
APEM led the development of a practical and scientifically-grounded assessment toolkit, integrating hydrological, ecological and biodiversity data to help define and assess the journey to a sustainable Environmental Destination. By working closely with partners WSP and HR Wallingford, the team delivered a flexible, scalable framework that can be applied across different catchments, regardless of complexity or data availability.
This toolkit empowers water companies to test alternative abstraction scenarios, understand trade-offs, and plan collaboratively with regulators and stakeholders. It supports a move towards catchment-based water management that prioritises long-term ecosystem resilience as well as reliable water supply.
A core part of this approach is our work with the Hydro-Ecology Toolkit, which allows users to collate, process and analyse environmental monitoring data to better understand flow-ecology relationships. This data-driven approach provides evidence-led insights into how water flow regimes influence ecological health and has been instrumental in informing environmental flow targets across multiple UK catchments.
This approach represents a major step forward in the UK water sector’s ability to adapt to climate pressures while meeting the ambitions of Defra’s 25-Year Environment Plan and the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).
For more information about APEM Group’s work in setting an environmental destination, visit: Setting an Environmental Destination – What Water Companies Need to Know
APEM Group’s Expertise in Environmental Destination
APEM Group brings over 30 years of global environmental consultancy experience to the forefront of sustainable water resource management. With an established reputation in delivering expert scientific advice, environmental assessments, and data-driven insights, APEM has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s approach to Environmental Destination.
Our dedicated Water team has been instrumental in translating complex hydrological and ecological data into actionable strategies for water companies and regulators. We work at the intersection of science and policy, helping clients navigate the evolving legislative landscape under the Environment Act 2021 and AMP8 planning cycles.
Our methodologies are built on decades of fieldwork, digital innovation, and partnership-led thinking. Whether it’s refining groundwater abstraction strategies or advising on flow indicators, APEM offers a holistic, evidence-based approach that minimises risk while delivering long-term environmental and operational benefits.
Contact us to speak with our Water experts on how we can support your AMP8 and long-term planning goals.
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