Value of Water

Against a backdrop of increasing pressure on water resources, RPA is investigating the value of water for the East Suffolk Water Abstractors Group (ESWAG) and Norfolk Environment Food and Farming. Changes in the abstraction licensing system mean that abstraction licences can be varied or revoked without compensation in certain situations, such as for the protection of the environment. This has implications for farmers who may rely on abstracted water to irrigate their crops. This study aims to describe and monetise (to the extent possible) the value of irrigated agriculture in Norfolk and Suffolk to the nation. It considers impacts under two alternative pathways: a baseline scenario where no action is taken by agricultural abstractors and the amount of water licensed decreases over time; and a best-case scenario where abstractors collaborate and plan to deal with decreased water availability and so minimise negative impacts.