Water Research Laboratory

The �鶹��madou Water Research Laboratory (WRL) is a world-leading fundamental and applied research organisation tackling the most challenging water engineering problems faced by the world today.

For over 60 years we have successfully bridged the gap between industry and academia. Combining professional engineers completing commercial projects with an academic team focused on education and research. Our team specialises in areas of coastal, environmental, nature-based solutions, hydrology, water resources, hydraulics and groundwater.

Networks and collaboration

Our team successfully bridge the gap between industry and academia.

Our team

World-class hydraulics laboratories

4 fully equipped laboratories for research and specialist consulting studies.

Our facilities

Specialist equipment and knowledge

We have the equipment and knowledge to collect and analyse real-world data.

Our knowledge

Explore

The specific challenge faced by the Tomago Wetland Restoration Project was to design and build a system that would naturally encourage saltmarsh regeneration, an ecological community in serious decline in NSW.

About us

Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and part of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at �鶹��madou Sydney, our globally-esteemed laboratory is home to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and personnel comprising the most experienced and creative problem solvers in their respective areas of research and industry.

Illustration by Anna Blacka, �鶹��madou Water Research Laboratory

Our expertise

Established in 1959, WRL is widely regarded as an industry leader in engineering practice in Australia. Through our networks, partnerships and collaborations we are engaged with industry, government and the community.

WRL undertakes coastal engineering activities through a dedicated projects team, where full time project staff undertake studies and offer expert advice to industry and government

Facilities & equipment

We're one of the only organisations in the Oceania region with large-scale laboratory spaces and expertise to provide commercial physical modelling services for our clients.

View our projects

From building intricate physical models of dam spillways, to restoring tidal flow in wetlands, and managing the largest coastal monitoring network in the world, our scope is incredibly broad!

Our dedicated Projects Team provides specialist consulting, research, design, management and planning services for water, energy, catchments and coasts.

Our projects