Ecological monitoring helps Heathrow Airport assess watercourse health and ensure regulatory compliance
Published: 12 March 2025
Understanding the challenge
We were commissioned to provide ongoing ecological monitoring of the watercourses surrounding Heathrow Airport, including its treatment reservoirs, through:
- Routine water quality monitoring
- Biannual macroinvertebrate sampling of rivers, streams and lakes
- Annual electric fishing surveys to assess fish populations and community structures
These assessments would ensure compliance with the airport’s Section 52 water permit and provide critical multi-year data on the ecological health of surrounding watercourses. Reports included detailed analyses of fish population trends and macroinvertebrate taxa and classifications (through use of the River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT) under the Water Framework Directive).
The project presented several challenges:
- Developing customised scientific reports with complex ecological data
- Maintaining strict health and safety compliance while working across multiple aquatic environments
- Delivering reports within tight deadlines during peak survey seasons
Our approach and implementation
We addressed these challenges by ensuring flexibility in survey scheduling, maintaining clear communication with Heathrow Airport, and providing accredited training for our ecologists to enhance technical expertise. Bespoke report templates were also developed to ensure consistency and accuracy in data presentation.
Executing these surveys required careful planning, adherence to strict health and safety measures, and expert technical knowledge.
Our experts successfully navigated:
- Specialised health and safety protocols – including working in water, biosecurity, and boat use across various survey sites
- Expert identification skills – macroinvertebrate classification to family level, and fish handling during electric fishing surveys
- Bespoke reporting and analysis – statistical data evaluation, QGIS mapping, and ecological recommendations
Impact and outcomes delivered
Thanks to the quality of work and strong client collaboration, our contract for Heathrow’s ecological monitoring has been extended annually. Our data-driven approach has provided Heathrow with invaluable insights into the ecological health of its watercourses while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
The methodology and reporting framework developed for this project can be applied to other organisations seeking to:
- Monitor aquatic ecosystems for compliance and conservation purposes
- Identify ecological indicators aligned with the Water Framework Directive
- Gain a deeper understanding of the biodiversity within their catchments
By delivering reliable, high-quality environmental assessments, we continue to support clients in safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and maintaining regulatory compliance.
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