EnWater Design

Technical studies for project decisions

Technical studies resolve a specific question before design, procurement, approval or investment proceeds. We assess the available information, identify any checks or testing required, compare credible options and set out the recommended action. A study can stand alone or connect with process design, sourcing or implementation support.

Question and scope Evidence and options Recommendation and next action

The assignment depends on the project question and the level of technical definition required.

Technical study assignments

Focused assignments for early planning, troubleshooting, process-route selection, reuse, residuals, automation, lifecycle cost and technical procurement. Scope, evidence needs and deliverables are matched to the question being resolved. Indicative timeframes depend on data availability, testing and stakeholder access.

Focused scope Testing where required Clear recommendation
Planning / EIA

Early-stage water and treatment screening

Establish the water balance, wastewater generation, indicative quality ranges, treatment implications, reuse opportunities, footprint and utility allowances for early planning and environmental assessment.

Indicative timeframe · 2 to 3 weeks
Covers demand and consumption patterns, source and discharge assumptions, indicative flow and quality ranges, treatment-route implications, reuse duties, space and utility allowances.
Decision supported what must be allowed for in planning, environmental assessment, budget and site allocation before a detailed process basis is developed.
For owners, planners and EIA teams Screening basis and planning note
Catchment / source inputs

Catchment and source assessment

Identify the streams driving load, toxicity, oil, metals, salinity or variability and define monitoring, segregation or source pretreatment measures before the central plant basis is fixed.

Scope options
Desktop Data-led Joint review
Desktop · 2 to 3 weeks - available-data review, source map, data gaps and targeted sampling plan.
Data-led · 4 to 6 weeks - flow and load scenarios, source tracing, segregation or pretreatment requirements and revised plant inputs.
Joint review - sessions with operators and relevant source owners to confirm responsibilities, monitoring and implementation priorities.
Source contributions and pretreatment Catchment assessment and revised design inputs
Pretreatment / chemistry

Chemical optimisation & co-treatment study

Compare chemical treatment and co-treatment options, establish operating ranges and confirm how pretreatment affects downstream solids, membranes or biological processes.

Scope options
Data review Testing-led Operations review
Data review · 2 to 3 weeks - available test results, supplier data and current dosing performance, with data gaps and an initial operating range.
Testing-led · 4 to 5 weeks - structured jar or bench testing, chemical route comparison, co-treatment limits, sludge implications and recommended operating range.
Operations review - operator and supplier sessions covering storage, handling, dosing control, changeover and monitoring requirements.
Chemical route and operating range Test-based treatment recommendation
Equipment duty

Equipment duty and technical comparison

Define the duty, operating range and process connections for a screen, filter, clarifier, pump, membrane or dewatering package, then compare suitable equipment types or package arrangements on a consistent basis.

Scope options
Duty review Comparison Coordination review
Duty review · 2 to 3 weeks - process duty, capacity, turndown, feed conditions, performance requirements and initial equipment options.
Comparison · 4 to 6 weeks - technical requirements, hydraulic and process checks, equipment comparison and connection requirements for the surrounding system.
Coordination review - joint review with the client, consultant, EPC or suppliers to resolve technical departures and package responsibilities.
Decision supported which equipment type or package arrangement meets the duty and what must be included in its specification and the surrounding process design.
Equipment duty and comparison basis Technical specification and comparison
Process route

Process route and concept options study

Compare credible treatment configurations against the required duty, feed variability, site constraints, residuals, operability and lifecycle implications before a preferred route is taken forward.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Covers process configuration options, design assumptions, performance limits, footprint, utilities, operator requirements, residuals and comparative cost implications.
Decision supported which route should form the basis for design, business-case development or supplier engagement, and which assumptions still require confirmation.
Available data and project constraints Options assessment and recommended route
Reuse / outlet requirements

Treated-water and biosolids outlet study

Define the receiving duties, demand, quality classes, continuity requirements, testing, storage, logistics and commercial conditions for treated water or biosolids before the process route and product target are fixed.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Covers potential users or receiving parties, demand and volume ranges, quality and reliability requirements, testing, storage, logistics, outlet constraints and commercial conditions that affect the technical basis.
Decision supported which outlets are technically credible, what quality and reliability must be designed for, and what conditions need confirmation before commitments are made.
Treated-water receiving duties Biosolids outlet requirements Outlet requirements and priority routes
Sludge & biosolids

Sludge & biosolids route study

Compare sludge reduction, dewatering, drying and composting within a product route, a thermal route or both, against quantity, characteristics, site constraints, sidestreams, testing and final outlet requirements.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Decision supported which processing route should be taken forward, what final material requirements apply, and which data or trials are needed before design and sourcing.
Solids quantity, processing and outlet Preferred route and design requirements
High recovery / brine

High-recovery, brine and ZLD route study

Confirm whether discharge, external disposal, brine management, high recovery or ZLD is required, then compare technically credible routes against water chemistry, scaling, residuals, utilities and operating constraints.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Decision supported whether ZLD is required or technically warranted, which treatment and residuals route should be assessed further, and what feed-water and operating assumptions must be confirmed.
Brine, concentrate and final solids route Route recommendation and design assumptions
Odor, septicity & H₂S

Odor, septicity & H₂S control study

Identify where septicity, odor and H₂S are developing across collection, treatment and solids handling, then compare source prevention, dosing, capture, ventilation and treatment measures.

Indicative timeframe · 2 to 3 weeks
Covers sewers or rising mains, wet wells, headworks, process tanks, buildings, sludge and biosolids handling, plus monitoring and operating conditions.
Decision supported where intervention is needed, which control measures should be combined, and what monitoring and performance requirements must be taken forward.
Formation points and control measures Control plan and monitoring requirements
Automation and controls

Automation and controls requirements study

Assess the current operating routines, instrumentation and control performance, then define the automation priorities, critical signals, operating modes, alarms, interlocks, start and stop conditions and monitoring requirements.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Covers current instruments and control loops, manual dependencies, critical process variables, alarms and safeguards, data logging, remote monitoring and implementation priorities.
Decision supported what should be automated or monitored first, which instruments and signals are required, and how control changes should support safe and stable operation.
Process control and monitoring Controls requirements and priorities
Technical procurement

Technical tender and bid review

Translate the process duty into a comparable tender basis, then assess supplier proposals, departures and clarifications against it.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Covers scope and duty definition, minimum performance requirements, bidder return schedules, technical comparison, clarification questions and technical conditions to be carried into the contract.
Decision supported which proposal best meets the duty, what departures remain open and what must be resolved before award.
Connected with Sourcing Advisory Technical comparison and recommendations
12. ROI, savings & commercial limit
Economics / business case

Lifecycle cost and benefits study

Compare the capital, operating, water, disposal, energy, chemical and residuals implications of credible technical options to support the project business case.

Indicative timeframe · 3 to 4 weeks
Covers baseline cost drivers, option-level CAPEX and OPEX, water and disposal offsets, energy and chemical changes, residuals costs, uncertainty and scenario ranges.
Decision supported which option offers the strongest technical and economic basis, what savings are supportable, and which assumptions need verification before approval.
Lifecycle cost and scenario comparison Business-case inputs and option ranges

Discuss the technical decision

Bring the treatment, reuse, residuals, automation or equipment question that needs to be resolved. We will assess the available information, the required decision and the most useful study scope.

Start a technical study enquiry

A short note on the site, available data, constraints and required decision is enough for an initial assessment.

Share your project context

Send the current situation, available information and the decision that needs to be made. We will assess whether the need is best addressed through a focused Technical Study, a Process Design Pack or connected sourcing or implementation support.

  • Facility type, capacity and sector
  • What is driving the decision
  • Available data, studies, designs or supplier proposals
  • Timing, site and operating constraints

Add “call requested” in the context field when a discussion would be more useful.

Choose the closest study area, or select “Not sure yet”.

Leave this blank when the current position is uncertain.

We will assess the information and respond with a proposed starting scope.