South West Water Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Natural Environment

Water Company Resigns Catchment Management Declaration at Global Congress

South West Water has renewed its pledge to protect and enhance the natural environment by resigning the Catchment Management Declaration. The company joined seven other UK water firms to reaffirm this commitment at the IWA World Water Congress in Toronto last month.

Promoting Collaborative Water Management

The Catchment Management Declaration, first launched in 2018 at the Global Water Summit in Paris, aims to bring together businesses, government bodies, and non-government organisations to tackle water stresses through a collaborative approach. The declaration supports a multi-sector strategy to manage water resources effectively, highlighting the importance of collective action over isolated efforts.

Carolyn Cadman, Director of Natural Resources at South West Water, expressed enthusiasm for the renewed commitment, emphasising the importance of partnerships in safeguarding natural water resources across the region.

Upstream Thinking: A Model for Natural Solutions

South West Water’s award-winning catchment management programme, Upstream Thinking, is a prime example of their efforts to protect natural resources. The programme works with over 1,100 farms, covering more than 111,000 hectares since 2020, applying natural solutions to mitigate the agricultural impact on biodiversity and water quality. It also aims to support farmers and the rural economy by providing long-term resilience to climate change.

Building a Strong Network for Water Protection

The Catchment Management Declaration has grown significantly since its inception, with over 60 organisations from various sectors initially stepping up to address the pressures on UK water. The network now includes more than 110 signatories from business, agriculture, regulation, academia, and civil society, all committed to improving catchment management.

For those interested in joining the declaration, more information is available through this link.

South West Water’s renewed commitment demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental management and highlights the ongoing need for cross-sector collaboration to tackle the challenges facing the UK’s water resources.