Water Resource Associates

What Water Resource Associates does

Water Resource Associates (WRA) is a specialist water-resource consultancy founded in 1994 and headquartered in the Oxford/Wallingford area of the United Kingdom, operating as a limited liability partnership (Water Resource Associates LLP). The firm delivers specialised consulting services in catchment hydrology and hydrochemistry, flood risk assessment, hydrological modelling of water-resource systems, groundwater monitoring, water-resource assessment and planning, and water quality modelling and assessment. Its client base spans UK regulated water utilities (South East Water, Severn Trent Water, Thames Water, Essex & Suffolk Water, Anglian Water, Scottish Water), UK government departments and agencies (Environment Agency, DEFRA), international development organisations (World Bank, EU), energy and mining majors (BP, Rio Tinto), and engineering consultancies (Norconsult, MWH). Combined international experience spans 120 countries across Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America.

WRA's technical foundation is a portfolio of four proprietary software packages developed and maintained over roughly three decades: AQUATOR (conjunctive-use water-resource system simulation), HYSIM (continuous rainfall-runoff simulation), HYSIM-CC (climate change impact modelling against IPCC SRES scenarios), and INCA (Integrated Nitrogen in Catchments — dynamic flow and water quality model widely used across Europe). These are complemented by two commercial satellite-precipitation data services — CHIRPS (1981–2019 archive) and TRMM-GPM (continuous global rainfall time-series and IDF curves from 1998 onward) — for which WRA has developed proprietary extraction and processing software.

The firm operates as a partner-led practice of 7 partners and approximately 17 associates, supplemented by an international network of business-partner offices (Aquascope Solutions in UK/Switzerland, AQUATRES in South Africa, GEOINDO in Indonesia, H2EA in France, NTEK in Barbados, SLU Uppsala in Sweden) and associated companies. Revenue is generated across four streams: professional consulting engagements (the primary revenue base), one-time software licensing for AQUATOR/HYSIM/HYSIM-CC/INCA, usage-based commercial data services, and professional training courses. The business model is project-based, sales-led, and relationship-driven, with go-to-market heavily reliant on the partner network, repeat UK utility engagements, and visibility through the WRA website, quarterly bulletins, and industry-conference participation.

Name

Water Resource Associates

Legal name

Water Resource Associates LLP

Website

https://watres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Water Resource Associates (WRA) is a UK-based water-resource consultancy founded in 1994, delivering hydrological modelling, flood risk, groundwater and water quality services to UK water utilities, governments, and international development organisations across 120 countries, supported by proprietary software (AQUATOR, HYSIM, INCA) and satellite precipitation data services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Resource Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Asset Management (EUAEAMAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance (BPAHAJAJ)

Keywords

• Water resource consulting
• Hydrological modelling services
• Flood risk assessment
• Groundwater monitoring
• Water quality modelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Wallingford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: World-class specialized consulting services in catchment hydrology and hydrochemistry, flood risk assessments, hydrological modelling of water resource systems, groundwater monitoring, water resource assessment and planning, and water quality modelling and assessment.
2. Software Licensing: Sale and licensing of proprietary software packages including AQUATOR, HYSIM, HYSIM-CC, and INCA. HYSIM offers free evaluation.
3. Data Services: Commercial data services providing CHIRPS and TRMM satellite precipitation data for clients. Pricing is based on number of quarter degree grid cells per grid cell and number of IDF curves and tables provided.
4. Training Courses: Hydrological modelling and water quality management training courses.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Water Resource Associates provides specialised consulting services in catchment hydrology, flood risk assessment, hydrological modelling of water resource systems, groundwater monitoring, water resource assessment and planning, and water quality modelling. The firm also develops and licenses proprietary hydrological simulation software (AQUATOR, HYSIM, HYSIM-CC, INCA) and operates commercial satellite precipitation data services (CHIRPS, TRMM-GPM) for clients globally.

Product overview

Water Resource Associates offers a suite of four proprietary software products for water resource management: AQUATOR (water resource systems simulation), HYSIM (hydrological catchment modelling), HYSIM-CC (climate change impact assessment), and INCA (integrated nitrogen and water quality modelling). These are complemented by two satellite-based precipitation data services (CHIRPS and TRMM-GPM) that provide rainfall time-series and IDF curves globally. The software products are sold as standalone packages and are also used to deliver specialized consulting services in hydrology, water quality, flood risk, and groundwater assessment across 120 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AQUATOR Software for developing and running conjunctive use water resource system models, suitable for simple models with few components through to large complex models with many hundreds of components. Targeted at water resource planners and modellers.
• HYSIM Hydrological catchment rainfall-runoff simulation model that uses rainfall and potential evaporation data to simulate the hydrological cycle (surface runoff, percolation to groundwater, river flow) on a continuous basis. Targeted at hydrologists and water resource engineers.
• HYSIM-CC Hydrological model extension to quantify the effects of climate change, supporting IPCC SRES climate scenarios, climate data import, and analysis of changes to river flow, runoff, soil moisture, groundwater recharge, snow melt, frost days, and irrigation demand. Targeted at climate impact analysts and water planners.
• INCA (Integrated Nitrogen in Catchments) Dynamic, process-based model providing representation of flow and water quality, with plant and soil system dynamics and in-stream biogeochemical and hydrological dynamics. Targeted at catchment scientists and water quality modellers.
• CHIRPS Data Service Commercial data service combining data from real-time observing meteorological stations with infra-red satellite data to estimate precipitation. WRA holds the complete CHIRPS archive 1981-2019 and provides a software suite for extraction and analysis for user-defined polygons such as river basins. Targeted at hydrological modellers and climate analysts.
• TRMM-GPM Data Service Data service providing continuous rainfall time-series and rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves for any point on the globe using TRMM and GPM satellite precipitation datasets. Targeted at engineers, hydrologists, and infrastructure designers requiring rainfall IDF inputs.
• Water Resource Consulting Services Specialised consulting services in catchment hydrology and hydrochemistry, flood risk assessments, hydrological modelling of water resource systems, groundwater monitoring, water resource assessment and planning, and water quality modelling and assessment. Targeted at government agencies, water utilities, mining and energy companies, engineering consultancies, and international development organisations globally.
• Hydrological Modelling Training Courses Training courses in hydrological modelling and water quality management, delivered to clients and professionals using the firm's proprietary software (AQUATOR, HYSIM, INCA). Targeted at water industry professionals and capacity-building programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hydrological models used for water resources planning by major UK water companies covering largest river basins
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aquascope Solutions LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner office providing services in UK and Switzerland. Founded by Paul Edmunds, WRA Partner, providing digital MRV and environmental intelligence platforms.
• AQUATREScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner office located in Pretoria, South Africa, providing water resource consulting services in the region.
• GEOINDOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner office in Bandung, Indonesia, providing survey services. Directed by Robert Bacciarelli, WRA Associate, with over 150 professional employees serving oil, gas, mining, and infrastructure clients.
• H2EAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner office in Nice, France, providing environmental consulting services in Europe.
• NTEK Design Services IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner office in Bridgetown, Barbados, providing design services in the Caribbean region.
• AquaCyan Consultants LtdminorOthersAssociated company providing water consulting services.
• Highland HydrologyminorOthersAssociated company led by Jamie Ledingham, WRA Associate, providing hydrology services in Scotland.
• Hydro-GISminorOthersAssociated company led by Dr. Harvey Rodda, WRA Partner, providing GIS and hydrological modelling services.
• Hydrohub ConsultingminorOthersAssociated company led by Richard Hines, WRA Associate, providing water management consulting.
• Oxford Water NetworkminorOthersAssociated company based at Oxford University, providing water research and consulting.
• Tuil Solutions LtdminorOthersAssociated company led by Gaye McKay, WRA Associate, providing flood risk and environmental solutions.
• Oxford Scientific Software LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationJoint developer of HYSIM-AQUATOR software during three-year R&D contract for SNIFFER in 1999-2001.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Global design and consultancy firm with a strong water, environment, and climate practice serving utilities, governments, and multilateral clients. Broad incumbent peer because Arcadis (and its legacy Senter) has engaged WRA on EU-funded groundwater monitoring work in Bulgaria and competes for the same European water framework directive engagements.
• Mott MacDonald: Global engineering consultancy with a major water and environment practice that regularly primes large World Bank, ADB, and UK utility frameworks. Broad incumbent peer because Mott MacDonald engages WRA as a specialist hydrological modeller on hydropower, India hydrology, and China water quality projects.
• SLR Consulting: Global environmental and advisory consultancy with strong water resources, EIA, and mining water management practices. Broad incumbent peer because SLR serves many of the same mining, energy, and infrastructure clients (e.g., Rio Tinto) as WRA on water-related ESIAs and hydrological baseline studies.
• WSP: Global engineering consultancy with significant water, environment, and climate adaptation practices serving utilities and development banks. Broad incumbent peer because WRA partner Peter Baur was previously Associate Director at WSP, and WSP competes for the same hydrology, ESIA, and water resource planning mandates in the UK and internationally.
• Jacobs: Large global engineering and professional services firm with deep water resources, environmental, and climate adaptation practices. Broad incumbent peer because Jacobs partners with WRA (partner Marcus Francis ex-Jacobs) and competes for the same UK water utility WRMP, AMP, and international development frameworks.
• Royal HaskoningDHV: Dutch-headquartered international engineering consultancy with deep water, flood resilience, and environmental modelling capabilities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Broad incumbent peer because it competes for the same multilateral- and government-funded water resource and flood risk programmes where WRA delivers specialist hydrological modelling.
• AtkinsRéalis (formerly Atkins): Large global engineering consultancy with a substantial water resources and hydrology practice serving UK water utilities and international development clients. Broad incumbent peer because WRA partners Piper and Holmes previously held senior roles at Atkins/Montgomery Watson, and Atkins is a frequent prime or JV partner on the same UK and international water mandates.

Direct peers

• HR Wallingford: UK-based water engineering and hydrology research consultancy with overlapping hydrological modelling, flood risk, and reservoir operations expertise. Direct peer because both firms compete for the same UK Environment Agency and water utility modelling work, and WRA partner Marcus Francis previously worked at HR Wallingford.
• JBA Consulting: UK specialist water and environmental engineering consultancy focused on flood risk, hydrology, and catchment modelling. Direct peer because JBA targets the same UK utility, Environment Agency, and DEFRA hydrological modelling mandates that WRA serves, often using overlapping toolchains.
• BMT Group: UK-based international maritime and environmental engineering consultancy with dedicated hydrology, flood, and catchment services. Direct peer because BMT (e.g., BMT Cordah) hires WRA for Ethiopian hydropower hydrology work and competes for related African and international water resource mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/waterresourcea

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Water Resource Associates