Research article

Local solutions to a global issue

We take a deep dive into the water roadmap and the action being taken on Norfolk's rivers


WRAP launched the Water Roadmap in 2022 in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Rivers Trust (RT). It is a joint vision, to build on the Courtauld Commitment 2030, which has a target to ensure that 50% of the UK’s fresh food is sourced from areas with sustainable water management. 

The roadmap aims to deliver an important contribution towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), as well as protecting and restoring biodiversity, and contributing to net zero goals through the implementation of nature-based solutions. 

WRAP is working with the WWF and RT to support and encourage the entire food and drink sector to take action. In May 2023, signatories (including Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) agreed to a series of leadership actions, associated funding contributions and to encourage other organisations across the food and drink sector to act, fund and support delivery of the roadmap.

Collective action projects have the potential to deliver simple, impactful and transferable solutions to the water crisis

Sophie Harrison, water specialist at WRAP 

Globally, 'collective action projects' are being developed to drive solutions. Sophie Harrison, water specialist at WRAP, says: “Collective action projects have the potential to deliver simple, impactful and transferable solutions to the water crisis. The projects are established in the water catchments that show water stress, coupled with being areas of high production. These projects deliver local solutions that help to solve a global problem.

“I encourage anyone who wants to see if they can make a positive difference to get in touch. Collaboration is key, and learning from each other has such an impact as we have seen on the ground in the UK and across the globe.”

Collective action project in Norfolk 

The Norfolk and CamEO (Cam and Ely Ouse) project is a collective action project being convened by WRAP and delivered by Norfolk Rivers Trust (NRT) on the ground. This region is a highly productive farming area with both water quality and quantity pressures. The project is looking to develop solutions to help businesses and the environment become more resilient. This includes using targeted farm support to deliver practical on-farm measures that improve water retention, reduce runoff, protect soils, enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of the surrounding water environment.

The Norfolk and CamEO project operates across river catchments that are home to many rare chalk streams, of which there are only about 210 worldwide. These systems, fed by pure, mineral-rich water bubbling up from underground chalk aquifers, support an array of wildlife, including threatened species like the white-clawed crayfish. 

NRT has built a proven, trusted reputation within its farming community. Since 2012, the trust has collaborated with over 300 farmers through its 'water sensitive farming' initiative to identify and implement practical on-farm measures at a catchment-based scale. These measures improve soil health and water management, reduce runoff and enhance biodiversity. Their goal is to support farmers in creating lasting, positive impacts for their rivers and wetlands, while still ensuring the food we consume can be produced. 

This collective action project expands NRT’s work with farmers, working together across agricultural supply chains to use water more sustainably by increasing groundwater infiltration and enhancing the land’s water-holding capacity. 

Josie Crook, sustainable agriculture officer at NRT, says: “We hope this project will connect the entire supply chain and raise awareness among stakeholders about the challenges of growing food in today’s climate. Ultimately, we aim to encourage growers to consider how they use natural resources. By using these resources more sustainably, we can improve the resilience of the landscape and make food production more environmentally viable for future generations.”

On-farm attenuation pond 

A specific example of how the project is being delivered is the construction of a large on-farm attenuation feature on land with low productivity. An attenuation feature is a pond designed to temporarily hold and gradually release water to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. 

The new feature will capture water from the surrounding arable land, holding it to allow infiltration and recharge of the chalk aquifer beneath, which feeds into a nearby chalk stream. It will also create a new habitat for wildlife and will help mitigate the effect of field runoff, thus improving the resilience of the landscape against increasingly frequent extreme weather. 



WRAP’S FIVE STEPS TOWARDS WATER SUSTAINABILITY 

  1. Join other landowners and farmers in tackling the water crisis – sign up to the Water Roadmap. 
  2. Ensure production is sustainable – work with customers/supply chains/ tenants/local MPs to collaborate on new ideas and innovative practices and trials. 
  3. Make a difference: support collective action projects tailored to reduce water stress and manage its impact on the ground. 
  4. Prioritise soil health to enhance water absorption and retention. 
  5. Transform unused farmland into a haven for nature.

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