---
title: "Tackling Environmental Risk with Flood & Water Management"
url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/tackling-environmental-risk-with-flood-water-management/"
type: expert_insights
date_published: 2024-05-22
date_modified: 2025-09-18
schema:
  @type: WebPage
language: en-GB
word_count: 537
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/tackling-environmental-risk-with-flood-water-management/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/05/highways-and-drainage-project-1.jpg"
type-insight:
  - Environment
---

# Tackling Environmental Risk with Flood & Water Management

![highways-and-drainage-project-1](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/05/highways-and-drainage-project-1.jpg)

**SYSTRA Water provides world-leading specialist engineering and consultancy services that support a nature positive and climate resilient future. SYSTRA has around 1,000 employees throughout the UK & Ireland, and around 11,000 globally. With more than 100 environmental specialists, SYSTRA is well-placed to support both the public and private sector’s climate, flooding and water pollution commitments.**

An engineer with more than 25 years of experience leading and managing
challenging environmental
projects, Marc says climate change is impacting faster than we had ever
anticipated. “Thirty years ago we were talking about the impact of acid rain,
today it’s about our massive average rainfall increases which are causing
regular flooding events and devastating property, livelihoods and natural
habitats – right here in the UK.

These floods are not only an issue in themselves, but have repercussions in
wastewater treatment and the quality of our rivers and seas as well.

Marc is leading some of the first overflow sewer designs to address The
Environment Act 2021 requirements for the water sector. The Act requires water
companies to continuously monitor the quality of the water upstream and
downstream of their treatment assets to allow meaningful assessments on relevant
local watercourses. With severe weather events happening more regularly, water
companies are increasingly in the spotlight to make improvements and protect our
built and natural environments. Marc is keen to point out that “it is not only
important, but necessary for wastewater infrastructure to be fit for purpose.”

![school-water-design](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/05/school-water-design-1024x578.png)

_Implementing SuDS (Sustainable drainage systems) help reduce combined sewer outflow spillages within the local area_

Marc’s team is also currently delivering several complex water management
solutions for the HS2 route near Birmingham, part of the Balfour Beatty Vinci
Joint Venture contract in which SYSTRA is lead designer. Specifically, the HS2
route meant diverting parts of local rivers in Warwickshire at Water Orton and
improving the riverbanks and wetland biodiversity.

Marc is optimistic about the future, pointing out that “the climate challenge is
huge, but the rewards are bigger still.” His experience of working in both the
public and private sectors mean that he instinctively sees the benefits each can
bring towards delivering on climate change.

Marc is an advocate of supplementing public funding with private sector
investment which he says “will act as a catalyst to innovation and bring about
new tech including AI to improve practice.

“Private sector involvement can help spread the risks associated with climate
change, adaptation, and mitigation measures. By diversifying ownership and
responsibility, the burden of addressing climate-related challenges can be
shared more effectively.”

SYSTRA offers a one-stop environmental service, encompassing advice, design and
engineering support for sustainable transport, infrastructure and development
projects in many sectors.

Our environment and sustainability experts work in partnership with clients and
wider project teams to deliver high-quality, innovative and responsive solutions
to meet specific environmental challenges and project priorities. We take
responsibility for managing environmental risks and developing and implementing
sustainable solutions on projects ranging from high-speed rail infrastructure
and urban
mobility schemes to flood resilience, energy-from-waste facilities and clean air
initiatives.

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