Fish-protective seawater intake design — velocity caps, wedge-wire screens, subsurface intakes and behavioural deterrents — meeting US EPA CWA 316(b) and the EU WFD.
Engineering Excellence for Marine Environments
Seawater intakes can entrain fish larvae and eggs and impinge larger organisms on screens. Regulators worldwide — led by US EPA Clean Water Act §316(b) and the EU Water Framework Directive — require best-available intake design to minimise harm. We engineer intakes that protect marine ecosystems while securing reliable supply.
Reducing entrainment and impingement
Low horizontal inlet velocity (<0.15 m/s) that fish sense and avoid.
1–3 mm slots with low through-slot velocity and airburst cleaning exclude eggs and larvae.
Beach wells and galleries effectively eliminate entrainment and impingement.
Modified band screens release impinged fish alive via low-pressure wash and return.
Air-bubble curtains, light and sound guide fish away from the intake.
Sampling and reporting to demonstrate compliance and inform adaptive design.
Design to the governing standard
| Regulation | Region | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CWA §316(b) | United States | Best technology available for cooling-water intake; entrainment / impingement limits |
| Water Framework Directive | European Union | Protect ecological status of receiving waters |
| OSPAR Convention | NE Atlantic | Protection of the marine environment |
| Local marine consent | Project-specific | EIA, abstraction & discharge permits |
Continue across the seawater intake engineering series
Offshore submerged intakes and velocity-cap headworks for the largest duties.
Read MoreBeach wells and infiltration galleries for naturally filtered, low-SDI feed.
Read MoreChlorination, antifouling alloys and UV to keep intakes clear.
Read MoreSuper duplex, Cu-Ni, titanium and cathodic protection for marine service.
Read MoreMulti-stage screening for debris, seaweed and jellyfish.
Read MoreThe full seawater intake hub — challenges, configurations and specifications.
Read MoreBeach wells and infiltration galleries for naturally filtered, low-SDI feed.
Read MoreMulti-stage screening for debris, seaweed and jellyfish.
Read MoreIntake design integrated with SWRO pre-treatment trains.
Read MoreOur raw-water intake engineering service across all source types.
Read MoreTalk to our marine engineering team about environmental compliance and a complete, compliant intake package — survivable, low-fouling and built for decades of service.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.
Send your influent analysis and our engineers assess your process and recommend a tailored treatment solution — free, confidential and no obligation.
Select the regulatory standard for your country — it sets which parameters we need for a compliance-aware process assessment.
Required parameters for the chosen standard are flagged on the sample form. You can still submit a partial set and we will advise what else to test.
Your sample is stored against your company so we can track the project. Provide a company name or email as a minimum.