ESWAG Value of Water findings published

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency’s National Framework for Water Resources highlighted the need to reduce water abstraction in many catchments.

In response, RPA worked with East Suffolk Water Abstractors Group (ESWAG) and Norfolk Environment Food and Farming (Norfolk EFF) to explore the potential impacts on food production in Norfolk and Suffolk.

RPA worked to model two scenarios:

• Reduction in licences: A decrease in spray irrigation volumes by 6 – 30%, which could result in losses of up to £2.3 billion over 20 years.
• With reservoirs: Building reservoirs to store water during high flow periods, helping maintain crop irrigation and avoid economic losses – though requiring capital investment and regulatory changes.

Our analysis covered potatoes, field vegetables, and soft fruit, estimating changes in yield, gross margins, employment, and gross value added (GVA) across the supply chain.

The findings were presented at an ESWAG open day at Home Farm Nacton and have just been featured in Farmers Weekly:

Why reservoirs are key to sustainable water abstraction – Farmers Weekly

The study underscores the critical role of strategic water management in safeguarding UK food production.

For more information on RPA’s involvement in the findings, or to work with RPA on future research, call us on +44 (0)1603 558 442 or email post@rpaltd.co.uk.