Water solutions & testing
From Regulation 8 supplies and filtration design to pump testing and hydrogeology reports — practical water solutions backed by specialist consultancy.
Nicholls provides a wide range of water solutions for residential, commercial and industrial clients. Whether you need a private water supply designed to meet Regulation 8 standards, a filtration system to address water quality issues, or pump testing to verify borehole yield, our team delivers practical, compliant solutions.
All our water solutions are supported by our in-house licensing team, so if your project requires EA abstraction or discharge permits, we handle the regulatory process as part of the same engagement.
Regulation 8 supplies
Design and compliance for private water supplies under the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations. We ensure your supply meets all local authority and DWI requirements.
Water filtration & treatment
Design and specification of filtration, softening and treatment systems to address water quality challenges — from sediment and iron removal to UV sterilisation.
Storage tank solutions
Above and below ground water tanks, open top tanks and steel coated tanks. We size tanks and reservoirs for your specific water storage requirements, both potable and non-potable.
Modelling & schematics
High-quality CAD drawings, system modelling and schematics. Concept and detailed design stage drawings to outline system design and principles.
System maintenance
Ongoing support for water supply systems including pump servicing, filtration maintenance, water quality monitoring and system performance reviews.
Regulatory support
If your water supply requires EA licensing or local authority approval, our licensing team handles the entire application and compliance process.
Testing services
Regular testing is essential to maintain the performance, safety and compliance of your water systems. We offer a range of specialist testing services.
Constant rate testing
Analyses the yield of a borehole by pumping at a fixed rate over an extended period. This test ensures your water source meets operational requirements and may be required by the EA before an abstraction licence is granted.
Typically 24–72 hours continuous pumping with water level monitoring.
Step testing
Evaluates well performance by measuring drawdown rates during staged discharge tests at incrementally increasing pump rates. Critical for determining the reliability and efficiency of your water source.
Multiple pumping stages with recovery monitoring between steps.
Water quality analysis
Laboratory-grade water testing for public and private supplies. We test for chemical parameters, microbiological contamination and physical properties to ensure your water meets regulatory standards.
Sampling, analysis and reporting to DWI and local authority standards.
Percolation testing
Establishes the rate of water absorption into the ground. Measures how long a specified volume of water takes to drain from a saturated hole, verifying soil suitability and drainage capacity for soakaway systems.
Tests, calculations and photographic evidence for EA submission.
Reports & assessments
Borehole prognosis
Identifies the expected depth at which water will be encountered and assesses drilling conditions. Accurate prognosis allows for proper planning and minimises project risk. We recommend obtaining a prognosis report before committing to drilling.
Hydrogeological risk assessment
Required where your site presents a risk to water. Covers background data, site installation outlines, relation to historically operated landfill or waste recovery areas, sensitivity of the surrounding water environment, hazards and likelihood of risk.
Flood risk assessment
Necessary for most developments within designated flood zones. We determine whether your site is in an area with critical drainage issues and prepare a comprehensive assessment for submission to the EA.
Environmental impact assessment
Environmental assessments for water-related developments and activities, including assessment of impacts on local watercourses, groundwater and protected habitats.
Need water testing or a specialist report?
Contact our consultancy team to discuss your requirements.