What Rockwater does

Rockwater Pty Ltd is a specialist hydrogeological, geothermal, and environmental consulting firm founded in 1974 by Dr Roger Passmore in Western Australia. The company is headquartered in Jolimont, Perth, with 100% employee ownership and a team of approximately 19 staff including directors, principal hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and administrative personnel. Rockwater delivers nine integrated consulting service lines: groundwater supply, dewatering, geothermal energy, managed aquifer recharge (MAR), numerical modelling, environmental science, surface water, geophysical surveys, and monitoring and compliance reporting. Its technical stack combines industry-standard numerical modelling software (MODFLOW, FEFLOW, MT3DMS, SEAWAT, Leapfrog), in-house Python tooling (FloPy for predictive uncertainty analysis), and proprietary PyGeo code for probabilistic geothermal LCOE modelling, alongside owned Auslog wire-line geophysical systems and a Proton Precession Magnetometer for subsurface investigation.

Rockwater's commercial model is project-based professional services, with multi-year contracts typical for compliance reporting and infrastructure engagements. Revenue is earned through hydrogeological consulting fees for mining operators, water utilities, and government departments, plus geothermal system design and supervision. Client concentration spans major mining houses (Newcrest, Alcoa, Consmin, Gold Fields, Woodside), government utilities (Water Corporation, Busselton Water, Aqwest, DMIRS, CSIRO, Department of Communities), and a long tail of mid-tier operators across Western Australia, with selective international engagement in New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and France. The firm's go-to-market is relationship-driven and conference-mediated rather than digitally marketed, anchored by decades-long contracts such as the 40-year Busselton Water partnership, sustained CSIRO research collaboration, and leadership positions across the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) and Australian Geothermal Association (AGA).

Name

Rockwater

Legal name

Rockwater Pty Ltd

Website

https://rockwater.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rockwater Pty Ltd is a 100% employee-owned hydrogeological, geothermal, and environmental consulting firm founded in 1974 in Western Australia, serving mining operators, water utilities, and government clients across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogeological and Environmental Consulting

NAICS

Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotechnical, Hydrogeological & Seismic Engineering (Slope Stability, Ground Support, Dewatering) (IMAKAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mine Hydrogeology & Pit Dewatering (Seepage, Water Balance) (EUAHAFAI), Mine Dewatering & Water Management Services (Pumping, Treatment, Tailings Water Return) (IMAKAKAI), Dewatering, Groundwater Control & Construction Hydrogeology (EUAHAFAG), Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB), Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD), Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK)

Keywords

• Hydrogeological consulting
• Groundwater supply services
• Mine dewatering solutions
• Geothermal energy consulting
• Environmental compliance reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

Jolimont, Western Australia

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hydrogeological Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for groundwater exploration, resource assessment, borefield development, dewatering, and environmental assessments for mining, municipal, and industrial clients
2. Geothermal System Design and Supervision: Design, drilling supervision, and commissioning of geothermal heating/cooling systems for pools, buildings, and industrial facilities
3. Managed Aquifer Recharge Projects: Development and application of MAR schemes for augmenting groundwater supplies, including feasibility studies, bore design, and compliance reporting
4. Monitoring and Compliance Reporting: Environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance reporting services for mining operations and industrial facilities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Rockwater provides specialist hydrogeological, geothermal and environmental consulting services across nine service lines: groundwater exploration and supply, mine dewatering, geothermal energy development, managed aquifer recharge, numerical groundwater modelling, environmental impact assessments, surface water studies, geophysical surveys, and monitoring/compliance reporting. Services are delivered to mining companies, water utilities, government departments and industrial clients across Australia and internationally. The firm combines in-house geophysical survey equipment, proprietary Python-based analytical tools and 50 years of applied hydrogeology experience.

Product overview

Rockwater is a hydrogeological, geothermal, and environmental consulting firm founded in 1974, offering nine core consulting service lines. These services are not a unified software platform but rather a portfolio of specialized consulting disciplines that operate independently or in combination for client projects: Groundwater Supply (exploration, resource assessment, borefield development), Dewatering (mining/construction dewatering schemes), Geothermal (direct-use energy systems and electricity generation), Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), Numerical Modelling (groundwater flow, solute, density and heat transport), Environmental science (impact assessments, biological surveys, contaminated sites), Surface Water (hydrological studies and flood management), Geophysical Surveys (in-house wire-line and surface geophysics), and Monitoring and Compliance Reporting. Rockwater also undertakes specific named projects such as the Perth Groundwater Replenishment Scheme, Scarborough Beach Pool geothermal heating, and the Havieron copper-gold dewatering project, which apply combinations of these service lines for mining, municipal, and industrial clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Groundwater Supply Specialist consulting in groundwater exploration, resource assessment, and borefield development, operation and licensing across sedimentary basins, coastal aquifers, and fractured crystalline rock environments. Designed for mining companies, water utilities and municipalities requiring sustainable groundwater supply.
• Dewatering Design and implementation of dewatering schemes for mining operations, construction projects and towns affected by salinity. Includes hydraulic property assessment, visual inspections, injection/pressure testing, test drilling, bore construction, test-pumping, and regulatory reporting for clients including Newcrest, Alcoa and Gold Fields.
• Geothermal Energy Development of geothermal energy resources for direct-use applications including heating of swimming pools, HVAC systems, and geothermal electricity generation feasibility. Includes bore design, drilling supervision and commissioning for public facilities, councils and energy companies.
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Controlled recharge of surface runoff or treated wastewater into aquifers for storage and future use or environmental benefit. Includes injection bore design, clogging remediation, feasibility studies and monitoring systems for water utilities, mining operators and government clients.
• Numerical Groundwater Modelling Numerical groundwater modelling using AQTESOLV, FEFLOW, MODFLOW, MT3DMS, SEAWAT, Python, FloPy, PEST, Phreeqc and Leapfrog for flow, solute, density (salinity) and heat transport analysis with predictive uncertainty estimation. Supports mining, municipal and industrial clients across Australia.
• Environmental Science Environmental science services including environmental management, hydrology, groundwater ecology, contaminated sites assessment, and botany. Capability extends to sensitive and remote environments for mining, industrial and government clients requiring environmental impact assessments.
• Surface Water Hydrological studies including peak flood estimation, flood mitigation design, runoff assessment, flood mapping, and surface water modelling using RORB, HEC-RAS and water balance models. Supports mining and infrastructure clients.
• Geophysical Surveys Surface and wire-line geophysical surveys using in-house Auslog systems (gamma, resistivity, temperature, flow, caliper), Proton Precession Magnetometer, and VLF EM receiver, combined with WellCad software for data analysis. Supports groundwater, mining and geothermal exploration projects.
• Monitoring and Compliance Reporting

Quantifiable outcome

• One of top ten global dewatering operations at Woodie Woodie (250-2,000 L/s historical rate)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)coreOthers · 1 January 2019Corporate member of IAH. Staff have held key positions including State Chairperson (Grant Bolton 2009-14, Ian Brandes de Roos 2015-18) and National President (Ian Brandes de Roos 2019-2021). Rockwater staff played key role in delivery of 40th IAH International Congress in Perth in 2013.
• University of Western Australia (UWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Since 2018, Rockwater has provided UWA with annual prize money for the best hydrogeology student in the school of engineering, and contributed significantly to establishment of the UWA Master's in Hydrogeology programme.
• Australian Geothermal Association (AGA)coreOthersStrong supporter of AGA with staff holding key positions including Treasurer (Jorik Poesse), Board member (Martin Pujol), and Secretary (Grant Bolton). Martin Pujol compiled the Australian Geothermal Census for AGA.
• Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA)minorOthersCorporate member of ADIA. Contributed to a number of ADIA events and publications.
• Environmental Consultants Association (ECA)coreOthersCorporate Member since 2009. Nick Evelegh served on the ECA committee from 2005-20.
• Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM)minorOthersSeveral senior Rockwater staff are members of AusIMM and have occasionally presented at their conferences.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GHD: GHD is a major Australian employee-owned engineering, environmental, and construction services firm with deep water resources, mining, and environmental consulting practices. It competes with Rockwater for mining water-management and municipal water supply mandates across Australia.
• Jacobs: Jacobs is a global professional services firm with critical water, environmental, and mining consulting capabilities. It competes with Rockwater for large mining water-management and municipal water supply mandates.
• Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech is a global consulting and engineering firm specializing in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure. It competes with Rockwater for complex groundwater modelling, mining water management, and environmental compliance work.
• Stantec: Stantec is a global engineering and environmental services firm with a substantial Australian water practice. It competes for municipal water supply, managed aquifer recharge, and mining water infrastructure projects.
• WSP Australia: WSP is a global engineering consultancy with a substantial Australian water and environment practice. It competes for mining water management, municipal water supply, and environmental impact assessment work similar to Rockwater's portfolio.
• AECOM: AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm with water resources, mining, and environmental practices in Australia. It competes for major mining dewatering and water-supply projects as well as environmental compliance work.
• Aurecon: Aurecon is a large engineering and infrastructure advisory firm with water resources, mining, and environmental consulting capabilities across Australia and Asia. It directly competes with Rockwater for mining dewatering and water-supply consulting work.

Direct peers

• EMM Consulting: EMM Consulting is an Australian environmental and engineering consultancy with water resources, mining, and contaminated sites practices. It competes with Rockwater for environmental impact assessments and mining water management projects.
• SLR Consulting: SLR Consulting is a global environmental and advisory firm with strong mining water management, dewatering, and environmental consulting practices. It is a direct competitor for mining hydrogeology and environmental compliance work in Australia.

Regional players

• ANUDAS: ANUDAS is a Perth-based hydrogeological and environmental consultancy providing groundwater and mining services in Western Australia. It is a regional direct competitor to Rockwater for mining water supply and dewatering projects in the Pilbara and southwest WA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rockwater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Rockwater