Haycock Shortlisted for Award

Haycock have been shortlisted for a 2009 Award for Environmental Excellence in the Water and Wastewater Category. Europe's biggest environmental website Edie (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange), hosts the award, which is RSA accredited, meaning that winners can enter the European Business Awards. Last year well known consultancies such as Atkins and Arup won awards, with companies such as Bureau Veritas, Scott Wilson and Coca-Cola also being shortlisted demonstrating the league that Haycock’s work sits alongside.

The Water Resource Risk Assessment (WRRA) designed by Haycock for the National Trust is the project which has achieved the honour of being shortlisted. As one of the largest land owners in the United Kingdom and an important conservation charity, it is vital for the National Trust to have an overall picture of what is happening to water on all of its properties and also to be able to use this to support its position when lobbying government departments on critical land management issues.

A key area of concern is the growing demand for water alongside the impact of climate change. The National Trust manage approximately 900 water supplies and spends £7 million per year on water and waste-water treatment. Therefore, there is much to gain from an integrated water strategy. However, without reliable information on the organisation’s water resources, strategic decision-making is difficult to ensure supply, water quality and reduce water usage.

The Water Resources Risk Assessment (WRRA) is a GIS database created and hosted by Haycock for The National Trust to raise water management awareness within the organisation. It contains a diverse collection of data sets focussing on a variety of environmental topics, particularly regarding water resources. The WRRA allows The National Trust to understand each property in relation to environmental parameters like soils, geology, designated sites, hydrology, flooding, abstractions and climate change. This supports the organisation at a national and local property level in a range of water management decisions with enormous environmental and cost benefits.

The shortlist showcases some outstanding projects, with the winners set to be announced on 12th November at the Hurlingham Club in west London. TV comic, Hugh Dennis is to play host at this year's Awards for Environmental Excellence, at the black tie ceremony.