Hydrological Assessments
MASAD provides hydrological assessments and analyses for investors, businesses and engineering teams. We support the evaluation of hydrological conditions, investment planning and the preparation of documentation requiring specialist hydrological analysis.
Hydrological Assessments for Investments and Businesses
The scope of each assessment is tailored to the nature of the project, the available data and the purpose of the analysis. Depending on the requirements, the assessment may include the evaluation of flows and runoff, retention, water balance, hydrological conditions and the impact of a planned development on the local water regime.
When is a hydrological assessment needed?
A hydrological assessment may be required at the investment planning stage, during the design of technical solutions, when preparing environmental or water permit documentation, or when assessing the potential impact of a project on local hydrological conditions.
In practice, hydrological analyses may be used for projects involving land development, drainage, water retention, water structures, watercourses, reservoirs and changes in land use.
An assessment may also be used to evaluate the effects of existing land use or to identify the causes of problems related to runoff, flooding, changes in water levels or local hydrological conditions.
Scope of hydrological assessments
The scope of each assessment is tailored to its purpose, the nature of the project and the available data. Depending on the case, the analysis may include:
- assessment of local hydrological conditions,
- analysis of flows, runoff and retention,
- water balance calculations,
- analysis of the effects of land-use changes,
- assessment of the causes of flooding, altered runoff or local disturbances in hydrological conditions,
- analysis of the operation of water-related structures and facilities,
- support for water permit and environmental documentation,
- comparative analyses of investment alternatives.
Hydrological assessments for proceedings and disputes
Hydrological assessments may also be prepared for administrative proceedings, disputes between property owners, compensation claims and court proceedings.
In such cases, the assessment may include an analysis of evidence, technical documentation, hydrological data, maps, measurements and available spatial data, as well as an evaluation of the relationship between specific activities and changes in hydrological conditions.
The purpose of the assessment may include:
- identifying the likely causes of flooding or changes in runoff,
- assessing the impact of earthworks, development or water structures on neighbouring properties,
- analysing changes in hydrological conditions,
- reviewing conclusions contained in other reports or studies,
- preparing an independent expert opinion to support a party’s arguments in proceedings.
The scope and form of the assessment are tailored to the purpose of the proceedings and the available evidence.
What data do we use in hydrological assessments?
A reliable hydrological assessment requires the analysis of data appropriate to the nature of the problem and the purpose of the study. Depending on the case, we use design and technical documentation, maps and spatial data, information on terrain morphology, data on watercourses and water structures, available measurement results, and materials from previous proceedings and studies.
For analyses relating to specific events or disputes, historical data, photographic documentation, information on completed works, rainfall records, changes in land use and the operation of existing drainage and retention systems may also be relevant.
If the available material is incomplete, we first identify which additional data, measurements or documents should be obtained in order to prepare a reliable analysis
How is a hydrological assessment prepared?
We begin by defining the purpose of the assessment and the problem to be analysed. We then review the available materials, identify missing information and determine the scope of the necessary analyses.
Depending on the nature of the case, the process may include:
- analysis of documentation and spatial data,
- assessment of site and hydrological conditions,
- analysis of flows, runoff, retention or water balance,
- comparison of current conditions with historical conditions,
- assessment of the impact of investments, works or structures on hydrological conditions,
- formulation of conclusions and recommendations,
- preparation of a written opinion or expert assessment.
In disputed or evidentiary matters, we place particular emphasis on clearly separating source data, assumptions, analysis and conclusions, so that the assessment is also understandable to people without specialist hydrological knowledge.
Hydrological assessments and water permit documentation
A hydrological assessment and water permit documentation serve different purposes, although in many projects they may complement each other.
A hydrological assessment is primarily intended to analyse hydrological conditions and evaluate a specific problem or phenomenon. It may be prepared for investment planning, design, disputes, administrative proceedings or court proceedings.
Water permit documentation, on the other hand, is prepared for water permit proceedings and forms the basis for applying for a specific water permit.
In practice, preparing water permit documentation may require prior hydrological analyses, for example concerning flows, runoff, retention, water balance or the impact of a project on hydrological conditions.
In such cases, we can combine both scopes of work and prepare both the analytical component and the complete water permit documentation.
Who do we prepare hydrological assessments for?
We prepare hydrological assessments and analyses for, among others:
- investors and developers,
- industrial and infrastructure companies,
- engineering and design consultancies,
- property and infrastructure managers,
- property owners,
- law firms,
- local authorities and public institutions,
- parties involved in administrative, compensation and court proceedings.
Why MASAD?
Hydrological projects require not only accurate calculations, but also a proper understanding of the problem, selection of appropriate data and the ability to translate analytical results into practical conclusions for investors, designers or parties to proceedings.
At MASAD, we combine expert knowledge with experience in managing complex projects and proceedings requiring cooperation between specialists from different disciplines. This allows us to approach each issue not only from a hydrological perspective, but also from an environmental, investment and administrative perspective.
Depending on the nature of the case, we provide:
- an individually defined scope of assessment,
- analysis of source data and documentation,
- selection of methods appropriate to the purpose of the study,
- clear and unambiguous presentation of conclusions,
- the possibility of combining the assessment with environmental or water permit documentation,
- support at subsequent stages of proceedings or the investment process.
Do you need a hydrological assessment?
If you are planning an investment, analysing a problem related to runoff or retention, preparing water permit documentation, or need an independent expert opinion for administrative or court proceedings, we can help determine the appropriate scope of analysis.
At the beginning of our cooperation, we review the problem, the available documentation and the purpose of the assessment. On this basis, we propose the scope of work, the required data and the appropriate form of the assessment.
Related services
- Water Permit Documentation
- Water and Wastewater Management
- Environmental Information Reports (KIP)
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)