Wastewater hydraulic modelling
Wastewater hydraulic network modelling provides the essential insight needed to help water companies manage some of the UK water sector’s most critical challenges
By creating a digital representation of sewer networks and wastewater systems, hydraulic models enable stakeholders to understand how assets perform under a wide range of conditions and to identify where future investment is needed. They are widely used to assess flood risk, reduce storm overflow discharges, improve river water quality and support compliance with increasingly demanding environmental regulations.
Hydraulic modelling also plays a key role in planning for long-term pressures such as population growth, urban development, climate change and ageing infrastructure. By testing future scenarios, it’s possible to forecast capacity constraints, evaluate options for network improvements and develop resilient, cost-effective solutions that protect customers and the environment. Models support strategic initiatives such as drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMP), environmental improvement programmes and AMP investment planning, providing the robust evidence needed for regulatory decision-making and business cases.
Ultimately, wastewater hydraulic modelling helps water companies target investment where it delivers the greatest benefit, ensuring sustainable, reliable and environmentally responsible wastewater services for communities today and into the future.
WRc
General enquiries
In the UK water sector, modelling is primarily used to assess
Why is wastewater hydraulic network modelling important?
Wastewater hydraulic network modelling provides the evidence that water companies, regulators and stakeholders need to make informed decisions about some of the most significant environmental, operational and societal challenges facing the UK water sector.
As sewer networks come under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, urbanisation and ageing infrastructure, hydraulic modelling has become an essential tool for ensuring that wastewater systems continue to protect people, property and the environment.
By creating a digital representation of the wastewater network, hydraulic models enable engineers to understand how systems perform in both everyday conditions and extreme events. This enables water companies to identify where flooding may occur, where storm overflows are likely to operate and where network capacity could become a constraint in the future. Without this understanding, investment decisions would be based on assumptions rather than evidence, increasing both cost and risk.
The importance of hydraulic modelling has grown significantly as the industry responds to greater public and regulatory expectations around environmental performance. Storm overflow discharges, river health and sewage-related pollution have become key areas of focus, with water companies required to investigate the causes of network issues and demonstrate that proposed solutions will deliver measurable improvements.
Hydraulic models provide the analytical foundation for these assessments, helping organisations evaluate options, predict outcomes and prioritise investment where it will have the greatest environmental benefit.
Through DWMPs and investment programmes such as AMP8, water companies must look decades ahead to understand how future growth, changing rainfall patterns and evolving customer expectations will affect network performance. Models enable a proactive approach, enabling organisations to test future scenarios, assess resilience and develop sustainable solutions before problems arise.
Ultimately, wastewater hydraulic network modelling matters because it helps ensure that investment is targeted where it delivers the greatest value. It supports the delivery of better public health, safer communities, reduced flooding, healthier rivers, improved environmental outcomes and more resilient wastewater services. By transforming complex network data into actionable insight, hydraulic modelling enables the UK water industry to make better decisions today while planning confidently for the challenges of tomorrow.
How can WRc help you?
At WRc, wastewater hydraulic network modelling is focused on delivering the insight and evidence that water companies need to make informed investment decisions, improve environmental performance and build resilient wastewater systems.
Drawing on decades of experience in the UK water sector, WRc combines independent technical expertise, proven methodologies and a strong understanding of regulatory requirements to provide robust, practical modelling solutions that meet the expectations of our clients and stakeholders.
Speak to the teamWRc’s modelling team can play a critical role in helping water companies address the industry’s challenges
Our team of experts is experienced in both wastewater and environmental water quality modelling using industry standard modelling software and proprietary software developed by WRc (SIMPOL ICM and UPM RAT). We can develop not just wastewater models but integrated models that support holistic catchment planning by assessing the interactions between sewer networks, wastewater treatment works, rivers, surface water and natural systems. This holistic system thinking enables investment decisions that optimise whole-catchment performance rather than isolated assets, identifying the most sustainable combination of engineering, nature-based and operational solutions.
Ultimately, we at WRc transform complex data into clear recommendations that help our clients make effective decisions and deliver resilient, efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater services.
Related projects
Drawing on WRc’s extensive experience across the UK water sector, our skilled wastewater modelling team delivers projects ranging from specialist technical studies and targeted investigations to major AMP framework programmes and strategic planning commissions. Combining technical excellence, practical insight and proven delivery capability, we provide resilient, innovative solutions tailored to each client’s needs, regardless of scale or complexity.
- Capacity assessments for new developments
- Peak flow assessments to support IMP5 drivers
- Verification of existing hydraulic models
- Drainage strategies to support changes at wastewater treatment works
- Permit compliance assessments
- Detriment assessments
- Strategic growth assessments
- Survey scoping for asset and flow surveys to support on EnvAct INV4
- ENVACT_INV4 Overflow Pre-screening Methodology
- Accelerated POT 2 modelling studies programme (various catchments)
- Framework model maintenance
- SWS pumping station design assessment
- Development impact assessments (various catchments)
- Rising main extension assessment
- DWMP development
- Combined sewer overflow formula A and pass forward flow assessments
- Fitness for use (FFU) model reviews
- Overflow harm screening methodology (in delivery)
- Waste and water quality modelling assurance support
- IDP2 model audit programme (awaiting start)
- PCD rulebook – phase 1 (scoping stage, in delivery)
Protect your assets
Maintenance and investment strategies and processes to keep your assets working efficiently.
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