Lake and forest with a dock

Water

AFRY’s solutions for water management

Climate change is transforming our water systems—driving shortages and complex challenges that profoundly impact both urban and regional development.

AFRY delivers innovative engineering, advisory, and digital solutions to help cities, industries, and utilities navigate water-related challenges and secure sustainable, resilient water management systems. By combining engineering excellence, management consultancy, and deep industrial insight, we provide comprehensive support across the entire water sector—water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and waste management. Our solutions ensure that water systems are safe, efficient, and sustainable, meeting growing demands while complying with increasingly strict regulations.

Whether you're launching new projects or seeking operational support, our team of specialists is ready to assist—both locally and globally.

Our areas

Groundwater protection Arrow
Water: sea and rocks on the shore

Groundwater protection

Groundwater services

AFRY provides complete support for groundwater and artificial recharge investigations—covering everything from initial research design to final reporting, data management, and visualization.

Full-scope expertise

We work across sectors such as infrastructure, mining, and regional water supply, adapting our methods to each project's specific needs and challenges.

Our core services

  • Groundwater and artificial recharge studies
  • Design of water supply systems and networks
  • Groundwater modelling (2D/3D) for infrastructure and remediation
  • Monitoring strategies and custom software solutions
  • Environmental permitting documentation
  • Risk assessments and protection planning
  • Contaminated site investigations
  • Remediation design and implementation
  • GIS-based mapping and data visualisation

Technology and tools

We use advanced tools such as thermographic cameras, flow measurement systems, video monitoring, and GIS platforms to ensure data quality and effective communication of results. Our experts always utilize the methods and technologies according to the specific project needs, to ensure the best outcome for the client.

Sludge and waste management Arrow
Water canister floating in water

Sludge and waste management

Sustainable waste and sludge strategies

At AFRY, we support clients in managing sludge, waste, and emissions by applying the latest technologies and best practices. Our solutions strike a balance between technical performance and environmental, regulatory, and economic requirements. By combining innovative technologies with practical, site-specific strategies, we help clients meet today’s growing demands for circularity and climate responsibility.

End-to-end services

We offer full lifecycle services for waste management—from early studies and strategy development to facility design, commissioning, and optimisation. Our goal is to combine cost efficiency with long-term operational performance. We focus on energy and material recovery, performance optimisation of treatment plants, and strategic waste management planning. Our services include waste analyses and inventories, as well as air treatment solutions for odour and emissions control.

How we support

  • Organisational development for public and private operators
  • Design and layout of waste treatment facilities
  • Mechanical-biological treatment, recycling, and RDF solutions
  • Technical and operational performance studies
  • Adaptation to new legal or environmental requirements
  • Emission mapping and scenario modelling for waste flows
  • Climate and energy impact assessments
Stormwater management and flood protection Arrow
Swan standing on a rock in the water, old bridge in the background

Stormwater management and flood protection

Solutions that strengthen resilience

AFRY helps cities and industries strengthen their resilience to stormwater and flooding through tailored, technically sound solutions. Our team supports clients across planning, engineering, and implementation—with a strong understanding of evolving regulations.

Planning and control

We develop stormwater management and treatment plans based on catchment analysis, hydrology, and natural inventory. Our services include runoff quality improvement, stream and wetland studies, and defining responsibilities between municipalities and utilities. We also assist with stormwater fee evaluations and jurisdictional clarification.

Flood protection design

Our flood protection solutions start with accurate hydraulic data and include risk assessments, route modelling, and technical design. We implement protective structures such as dikes, flood walls, mobile barriers, and retention reservoirs—always tailored to environmental and site-specific requirements.

Key services

  • Stormwater treatment and runoff management
  • Flood risk assessments and modelling
  • Hydraulic design for flood control infrastructure
  • Planning and inspection of retention basins and pumping stations
  • Design of ports, marinas, fish ladders, and related hydraulic systems
  • Operational support and inspection services
Wastewater treatment Arrow
Sunset over waste water stilling basin

Wastewater treatment

Full-Lifecycle Support

We provide expert wastewater management services that protect rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. From individual process challenges to large-scale plant investments, we support clients throughout the entire lifecycle—from early studies to ongoing operations—delivering sustainable and efficient solutions.

Specialized expertise

We offer advanced services including 3D plant design, biological wastewater treatment modelling, and energy studies. Our approach ensures optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and sustainability throughout the entire plant lifecycle.

Comprehensive services

We design, manage, and supervise the construction of wastewater treatment plants, ranging from small-scale facilities to those serving millions of people. Our solutions incorporate the latest technologies, including membrane filtration, green technologies, and advanced sludge handling methods.

Key services

  • Plant design, tendering, and construction supervision
  • Exhaust air and energy optimization
  • Sludge handling solutions (fluidised bed incineration, solar drying, reed bed filtering)
  • Process and plant design (mechanical, structural, piping, HVAC, EIA)
  • Operating and maintenance optimization
  • Process studies and alternative process evaluations

Services for water utilities

  • Process dimensioning and special studies
  • Pilot research, site engineering, and commissioning
  • Procurement services and construction management
  • Advanced sludge pumping and water basin design
Water networks Arrow
City and water, boats at the waterfront

Water networks

Design & renovation

We specialize in designing, renovating, and optimizing water distribution networks. Our services leverage advanced methods to ensure high efficiency and reliability, particularly in challenging urban environments.

Full lifecycle services

We offer full lifecycle services, including the design of transmission lines, pumping stations, and hydraulic systems. Our expertise spans challenging urban renovations and relocating transmission lines in densely populated areas. We also have significant experience in designing water distribution systems for industrial facilities, ensuring both functional and efficient solutions.

Key Services

  • Water network asset studies and location assessments
  • Investment planning for new construction and network upgrades
  • Design of special network components (valves, wells, pumping stations)
  • Hydraulic studies and network dimensioning
  • Pipeline and transmission line analysis (capacity, impact, flooding)
  • Strategic planning for water and wastewater system expansions
  • Project management, supervision, and operational support
Water treatment and supply Arrow
Women holding child's hand on a dock by the water

Water treatment and supply

Complete range of services

At AFRY, we provide a complete range of services to ensure clean drinking water globally. Our expertise spans all phases of municipal and industrial water projects, from feasibility studies to project execution and operational support. With extensive experience in water treatment and distribution, we ensure clean, reliable water supply solutions for municipalities and industries worldwide.

Feasibility & process studies

We conduct thorough feasibility and process studies before investment decisions, ensuring that each project is optimized for efficiency and sustainability.

Project execution & support

From detailed design and construction management to commissioning, we support all stages of project execution. Additionally, we assist water utilities with ongoing operational consulting, energy system optimization, and technical guidance.

Key services

  • Ground and surface water studies and modelling
  • Integrated water resources management
  • Development of water supply processes and master plans
  • Design and construction of water transmission networks and pumping stations
  • Water treatment plant design and operations support
  • Water loss reduction and non-revenue water analysis
  • Risk management and contingency planning for drinking water safety
Waterways and hydraulic engineering Arrow
City, bridges and construction works at water

Waterways and hydraulic engineering

Protecting waterways with expertise

AFRY specializes in protecting both natural and manmade waterways, which serve multiple roles including transportation, water reservoirs, and recreational spaces.

Comprehensive solutions

We provide holistic solutions for port facilities, coastal protection, dams, weirs, lock gates, docks, and flood retention basins. Our team integrates technical and environmental expertise to design complete systems, including transport infrastructure like bridges and roads. Additionally, we design hydropower plants, dams, and pumped storage plants.

Sustainable solutions & environmental monitoring

AFRY focuses on sustainable waterway solutions, using natural designs that protect biodiversity and landscapes. We incorporate fish passages and river course restoration to maintain ecological balance. We also address the impact of land use and development through targeted renaturation efforts, preserving natural habitats. Additionally, we provide long-term environmental monitoring, assessing flora, fauna, and water quality to ensure ongoing sustainability.

Thomas Morgenthaler - Head of Business Unit Water and Environment, Switzerland
Thomas Morgenthaler
Head of Business Unit Water and Environment, Switzerland

Interested in Water?

Contact Us

Please complete the form and send us your proposal. For career enquiries, please visit our Join us section.

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Contact Us

Please complete the form and send us your proposal. For career enquiries, please visit our Join us section.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Antti Pesonen - Johtaja, Suomen vesiliiketoiminta
Antti Pesonen
Head of Business Unit Water Finland

Interested in Water?

Contact Us

Please complete the form and send us your proposal. For career enquiries, please visit our Join us section.

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