Services · Stormwater & drainage · UAE

Stormwater modelling & drainage design in the UAE

We support municipalities, consultants and EPC contractors with stormwater modelling and drainage network design — helping you manage flood risk, size critical assets correctly and demonstrate performance against authority and client requirements. Based in Abu Dhabi, we design to Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) and UAE authority drainage criteria. We deliver studies across the UAE, the wider GCC and internationally, to the relevant local authority standards.

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Stormwater modelling of a coastal development network in InfoWorks ICM, Abu Dhabi

Networks & culverts
Urban drainage networks, storm sewers and culvert systems

Pump stations & storage
Stormwater pump stations, detention basins and outfalls

Flood & surcharge risk
Flooding, surcharge and overflow assessments under design storms

Why it matters

Why stormwater modelling matters

Across the UAE, short and intense storms, rapid urbanisation and tighter authority requirements are putting stormwater systems under pressure. Inadequate drainage can lead to property flooding, road closures, environmental spills and reputational damage for asset owners.

Robust stormwater modelling and drainage design allow you to:

  • Check system performance for a range of design storms and climate-change scenarios
  • Identify surcharging manholes, flooding locations and capacity bottlenecks
  • Size pipes, culverts, detention basins and pump stations correctly
  • Demonstrate compliance with local authority guidelines and client requirements
  • Prioritise improvements and support business cases for capital works

Scope of services

What a stormwater modelling study includes

01

Data review & base model

  • Review of drainage layouts, GIS, surveys and as-built information
  • Definition of catchments, sub-catchments and key outfalls
  • Set-up or refinement of SewerGEMS / SWMM / InfoWorks ICM models
  • Representation of storage, pumps, controls and overflow paths

02

Hydrology, hydraulics & scenarios

  • Design storms and runoff methods appropriate to the site
  • System response under multiple rainfall events and durations
  • Assessment of surcharging, flooding and spill locations
  • Testing of upgrades, diversions and online/offline storage options

03

Design refinement & mitigation

  • Sizing and optimisation of pipes, culverts, basins and pump stations
  • Evaluation of green/blue infrastructure and attenuation options
  • Recommendations to reduce flood risk and improve resilience
  • Clear input to concept and detailed design stages

Recent projects

Stormwater projects in the UAE

Process

How we work with you

STEP 01

Brief & data

We confirm the study objectives, review existing information and agree key locations, performance criteria and deliverables with your team.

STEP 02

Modelling & options

We build or refine the drainage model, run the agreed rainfall scenarios and test practical options to reduce flood risk and improve performance.

STEP 03

Recommendations & handover

We present the findings, document recommendations clearly and hand over plots and model files that support approvals and future scheme development.

Outputs

Typical deliverables

Each study is tailored to the scope and stage of your project. Typical outputs include:

  • Summary report highlighting key risks, flooding locations and recommended works
  • Flood maps of peak water levels, depths, velocities and surcharge extent
  • Long sections and profiles for critical pipes, culverts and structures
  • Option comparison of “existing” versus “with improvements” scenarios
  • Design criteria for major assets such as basins and pump stations
  • Model and run files, on request, for your internal use
Stormwater modelling long section showing the maximum hydraulic grade line

Tools & methods

Tools and methods

We apply recognised software and hydrological methods, in line with UAE and Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) stormwater guidance, combined with practical engineering judgement to deliver reliable and defensible results.

Hydraulic softwareSewerGEMS, EPA SWMM, InfoWorks ICM and similar drainage tools
HydrologyDesign storms and runoff methods in line with local guidance, including climate-change uplift
Data inputsRainfall data, land-use information, surveys and flow data where available
VerificationSanity checks, sensitivity runs and comparison with known flooding issues
OutputsMaps, profiles and reports designed to support decision-making and approvals

FAQ

Stormwater & drainage design FAQs

Which design storms are used for stormwater design in Abu Dhabi and the UAE?

Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM) guidelines require stormwater networks to be designed for a 1-in-10-year storm and checked against a 1-in-25-year event. We apply ADM rainfall (IDF) data, runoff coefficients and time-of-concentration factors, and can add climate-change uplift factors where the client requires them.

Which drainage modelling software do you use?

For stormwater modelling we use InfoWorks ICM, SewerGEMS and SWMM, and use EPANET with Python for pump station and force main checks. We can work in your preferred software and hand over model files on request.

Do you size and verify stormwater pump stations?

Yes. We size pump capacity, wet-well volume and operating levels to the ADM Stormwater & Sub-soil Drainage Systems Design Manual, then verify the selection with pump and system curves and an extended-period simulation. See our coastal pump station case study.

What information do you need to start a drainage study?

For projects anywhere in the UAE, we typically need a site layout or topographic survey, the proposed land use, any existing drainage or as-built drawings, and the outfall or discharge constraints. If you already have a model, we can review and update it rather than start from scratch.

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