At Black & Veatch we create sustainable engineering solutions that balance the needs and values of society against natural forces. By ensuring that our projects relate to the wider environment, we provide forward thinking answers to our clients.
As an integrated engineering company we deliver consulting, construction, refurbishment and decommissioning services. The Black & Veatch approach ensures an holistic “concept to decommissioning” capability, with the right skills provided in the right place at the right time.
In the Black & Veatch Environment Business we focus on sustainable solutions to the problems of infrastructure development, which we deliver in sympathy with the natural environment.
Environment Assessment
Black & Veatch provide environmental assessment of infrastructure projects; from strategic development of options, to design and construction on site. We have a proven track record of working closely with engineers and developers to gain regulatory approval and minimise environmental impact.
We do this through delivery of strategic environmental assessment (SEA), environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental audit and the provision of technical advice.We have expertise in species and sites that are formally protected, including European sites of nature conservation importance. We offer a range of services including data collection, surveys, assessment, negotiation with conservation organisations, habitat creation and, where appropriate, translocation.
We have an established network of specialist associates who support us in delivering a wide range of SEA and EIA. Our clients include government departments, public authorities, contractors and industry.
Gaining early endorsement from statutory and non-statutory organisations, landowners and the public is pivotal to the successful delivery of projects. We have developed a number of effective ways of addressing this, including managing public exhibitions, co-ordinating formal liaison groups, and producing user-friendly publicity material. This helps ensure that development proposals are accepted and that any conflicts are resolved.
Other environmental assessment services include:
-
Risk assessment;
-
Expert witness services;
-
Planning, including application for planning consents;
-
Environmental desk studies;
-
Environmental audits (pre-acquisition and pre-divestment);
-
Development of environmental management systems; and
-
Provision of environmental awareness training
Environment Modelling
Black & Veatch provide environmental modelling services across a wide range of fields. With expertise in hydrodynamic, sediment transport and water quality modelling, we undertake model development, impact assessment and audits. This is often in support of wider engineering projects and so is used to drive infrastructure design and investment.Environmental modelling can also influence the siting of developments such as discharge outfalls and harbour walls, and ensure that environmental impacts are minimised. We use modelling to assist project delivery across a variety of sectors, including flood and coastal defence, waterside development and environmental impact studies.
Using models developed by the world's leading hydraulic research centres, combined with in-house development of specialist advanced models, we are able to provide our clients with an in-depth modelling service, from simple 1D schematisations up to complex full 3D modelling.
In the case of wastewater discharges, where the pipe ends our environmental modellers' role begins. We predict the fate of wastewater in the receiving environment, whether this be rivers, estuaries or marine waters. Our environmental modelling team is able to integrate effectively with in-house or external sewerage network modellers, to ensure an effective and accurate representation of the real world.
Our modellers assess the suitability and design of structures, such as ports, harbour walls, dams and flood and coastal defences. With the ability to simulate and predict changes in flow and wave action, we can assist engineering design and detailed environmental impact assessment studies. In addition, we can assess the integrity and fate of structures in both the long and short term.
