Water engineering jobs: Havant Thicket Reservoir project #InsideAtkinsRéalis

Our Water, Environment, and Project Delivery teams—along with Design & Advanced Technology and project and programme management—delivered the career‑defining Havant Thicket Reservoir project for Portsmouth Water. This included the outline design, environmental impact assessment, and secure planning consent for the reservoir and its infrastructure: upgrades to Water Treatment Works, a new pumping station, and a pipeline connecting the reservoir to the regional network. This complex project highlights the expertise and collaboration of our engineers, planners, environmental specialists, and project managers.

The reservoir addresses critical regional water resilience needs, enabling a bulk supply of drinking water to Southern Water while protecting valuable chalk stream habitats in the River Test and River Itchen. As the first significant surface water reservoir in 30 years, it sets a new standard in integrating sustainability, operational efficiency, and community benefits. The team's technical leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration were key in realizing a project that balances environmental sensitivity with engineering excellence. Explore careers in water at AtkinsRéalis.

How does AtkinsRéalis support sustainability and environmental projects?

Over and above improving resilience, the project provides an environmental, recreational, and educational asset to the community. The reservoir's environmentally‑led design integrates operational and visitor facilities within the sensitive landscape to create an attractive setting, minimize visual and environmental impacts, and maintain the site's rural character.

Our talented team provided strategic guidance and technical support to navigate the complex planning and consenting requirements across three local planning authorities. Their work extended beyond design and environmental assessments to include stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment across agencies and delivering solutions that meet regulatory, environmental, and community expectations. Learn more about our Environment Practice.

What technical expertise do environmental teams need in water projects?

Our Environment team prepared high‑quality planning applications and managed comprehensive stakeholder engagement, securing planning permissions, first time without requiring post‑submission design changes. We reduced risk by establishing an agreed planning strategy at the outset, identifying potential design issues early in the process, and through the proactive involvement of stakeholders and the community. The team tackled complex challenges such as mitigating the loss of ancient woodland, addressing geotechnical risks, and ensuring compliance with the Water Framework Directive—with no objections from statutory environmental bodies. Discover opportunities in Design & Advanced Technology.

The expertise powering the AtkinsRéalis Environment team

Our multidisciplinary specialists across hydrology, pipeline, geotechnical and highway engineering, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, and landscape design collaborated using advanced digital tools, including a WebGIS‑based system. By embedding rigorous design reviews and leveraging innovation, we delivered efficient and sustainable solutions, achieving cost and carbon savings and an ambitious Biodiversity Mitigation and Compensation Strategy, which included high levels of environmental enhancements in the local area. This approach exemplifies our ability to deliver environmental and community‑led infrastructure schemes. The team's collaboration and inclusivity earned the project a prestigious CIEEM Best Practice Award.

Career opportunities in the AtkinsRéalis Environment team

The Havant Thicket Reservoir project highlights the diverse career opportunities at AtkinsRéalis. Whether your expertise is in project management, town planning, environmental assessment (ecology, water quality, noise, air quality, cultural heritage, landscape and visual, human health, transport, carbon, waste, climate), engineering, water treatment and landscape design, and stakeholder engagement—or you're keen to discover where else your skills could take you—check out our live Environment roles, Project Delivery Practice opportunities, or project and programme management careers.

Jobs in sustainability, environment and innovation in AtkinsRéalis

This project's successful delivery reflects the team's strength in collaboration, sustainability and innovation. By addressing complex challenges, such as securing planning permissions across multiple authorities and balancing environmental sensitivity with engineering requirements, the project provided professionals with invaluable experience in delivering large‑scale infrastructure. It also created opportunities for team members to refine their skills, contribute to future landmark projects and advance their careers. Join our global water team at AtkinsRéalis.

Havant Thicket Reservoir: Our team's achievements

• Secured planning permissions for the first time across three local planning authorities within 12 months after submission, with no requirement for post‑submission design changes and no objections from statutory environmental bodies or local authorities. Innovative structuring of consents to expedite the commencement of works.
• Designed a reservoir that balances operational needs with community benefits, including a visitor centre, trails, and wetlands, aligning infrastructure with health, recreation, and conservation objectives.
• Mitigated loss of ancient woodland by optimizing the alignment and slope of the embankment design, reducing environmental impact and costs.
• Developed a Biodiversity Mitigation and Compensation Strategy in collaboration with statutory bodies and stakeholders, including a minimum of 110 ha of off‑site compensatory measures.
• Designed and employed innovative digital public consultation methods, including a 3D flythrough. Feedback received on the reservoir proposals demonstrated a high level of support, with 80% of people completing the consultation feedback forms agreeing with the proposals.

• Employed advanced tools such as BIM, SafetiBase, and 3D visualizations to enhance collaboration, reduce risks, and improve decision‑making efficiency.
• Attained the CIEEM Best Practice Award for Stakeholder Engagement, reflecting the project's exceptional inclusivity and collaboration with local communities and environmental groups.

Find a place for your transferrable skills with our teams today: Explore Environment roles, Project Delivery Practice jobs, Design & Advanced Technology opportunities, or programme management jobs.