Thomas Howell, Vice President of Water Treatment at WSP in the U.S., brings more than 15 years of global desalination and water treatment experience to the firm’s water business.
Now based in Austin, Texas, Howell will lead efforts to expand WSP’s water treatment and desalination capabilities across drought-impacted regions of the U.S., including Texas, Louisiana, California and Arizona. His appointment comes amid growing concerns about aquifer depletion and the need for long-term, climate-resilient water supply solutions.
“Desalination has been identified as one of the vital tools to manage water supply across drought-stricken states,” said Howell. “A lot of energy and enthusiasm from our water team is building in the U.S., and I’m excited to help grow our capabilities and introduce global best practices domestically.”
Global experience in desalination
Howell’s career spans the full project lifecycle—from feasibility and design to commissioning and optimisation. While working with WSP’s Brisbane office, he played a key role in projects such as the Kangaroo Island Desalination Plant in South Australia, which supplies two megalitres of clean water per day to a community without a natural surface water source, and the Belmont Desalination Plant in Newcastle, Australia, currently being constructed to deliver 30 megalitres per day. He also designed brackish water desalination systems for major mining clients in arid regions.
Alex Shannon, Senior Vice President and West Region Water Leader for WSP in the U.S., said: “There has never been a more important time for water supply diversification. While desalination can be energy-intensive, the solution lies in smarter delivery models, efficiency gains and close collaboration with local communities and industry. Tom’s international experience will help us apply those best practices and deliver sustainable solutions for our clients.”
Delivering sustainable water solutions
WSP’s water portfolio in North America includes projects such as the North Clear Creek Water Treatment Plant in Colorado, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in Florida, and the Destin Water Users Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project. Howell’s appointment reinforces WSP’s commitment to providing safe, reliable and sustainable water systems across the United States.
“There has never been a more critical moment to ensure reliable access to clean water,” Howell said. “By applying proven design methods and lessons learned from projects around the world, we can help communities across the U.S. meet growing demand while managing water responsibly.”
