Water Resources East

We’re thrilled to celebrate the completion of a £282,000 restoration scheme along the River Yare, one of just 210 chalk streams worldwide! By restoring natural river processes, we’re enhancing resilience to climate change, protecting biodiversity, and supporting a sustainable future for Eastern England’s water resources 🌿💧 What’s been achieved so far? ✅ 651m of new meandering river channel, reconnecting the Yare to its floodplain ✅ Creation of six wetland scrapes and two ponds covering 10,696m² ✅ Improved water quality through natural flood management and sediment deposition ✅ Boosted biodiversity, benefitting water voles, insects, birds, reptiles, plants and more This scheme was made possible with funding from the Environment Agency and the #NorfolkWaterStrategyProgramme (NWSP) hosted by Water Resources East in collaboration with Norfolk County Council, Anglian Water Services and The Nature Conservancy, with funding for this scheme from WWF and Finish partnership. The scheme was delivered by Norfolk Rivers Trust working with Norfolk Rivers IDB. Read the press release here➡️ https://lnkd.in/e4bCxuAt 📸 See the transformation below! Re-wiggling this section of the River Yare has created a dynamic mosaic of wetland habitats, helping to restore the natural river ecosystem and enhance floodplain resilience.

Chalk streams like the River Wensum are some of the rarest freshwater ecosystems in the world—found almost exclusively in England. Their crystal-clear waters and unique habitats make them both invaluable and incredibly vulnerable 🌿 Through the Norfolk Water Strategy Programme, Water Resources East are working alongside partners to drive innovative, #NaturebasedSolutions that protect these rivers while securing sustainable water resources for people, agriculture, and nature. The Norfolk Water Fund is a key part of this vision—helping farmers and land managers take action to improve water quality and build resilience in the landscape. 💧 From restoring wetlands to implementing regenerative farming practices, this collaborative effort is shaping a water-secure future for Norfolk. 📖 Take a moment to read this fantastic article #ClearWaters in The Nature Conservancy’s magazine: https://lnkd.in/eQUn2q6V The article highlights insights from WRE team members Daniel Johns and Hannah Gray alongside Wendy Brooks, Glenn Anderson, Donna Dean, Robin Price and Rob Cunningham showcasing the breadth and depth of collaboration driving this work forward. Proud to be working with: The Nature Conservancy Norfolk County Council Anglian Water Services Norfolk Rivers Trust Wendling Beck 📸 Emli Bendixen

When Rob Cunningham was growing up in Norfolk, England, he sometimes went fishing with a friend on the banks of a river where the water was crystal clear. It was only years later, as he was studying environmental science elsewhere in England, that he would come to realise how unusual rivers like the Wensum really are. Known as “chalk streams”—a globally rare type of waterway found almost exclusively in England—these rivers’ specific features both create rare biodiverse habitats and make them uniquely vulnerable. Today, as the director of The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Watersheds program in Europe, Rob is working to protect rivers like these through the Norfolk Water Fund. 🔗Learn more about how Rob and TNC’s partners are working to protect the region’s waterways in this beautiful story in the TNC magazine: https://lnkd.in/eQUn2q6V Norfolk County Council Anglian Water Services Water Resources East Wendling Beck 📸 Emli Bendixen

Wet woodlands are vital ecosystems that help combat flooding, store carbon, and provide natural habitats. Watch the full video and explore the importance of these wetland wonders! via The Woodland Trust

At Anglian Water, we're taking a nature-first approach to our investment programme. We're operating in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable climate and with our region being home to some of the world’s most important and beautiful landscapes and habitats, we need to think differently about how we enhance and protect it. Nature-based solutions, like treatment wetlands, are a key part of our vision for the future. As the population of our region grows, our sewer networks are processing more and more human and domestic waste and we’re always looking for more natural ways to remove these from our waste water, rather than adding more chemicals in our treatment processes. Not only do the wetlands have a practical purpose, they are also a huge biodiversity asset and attract lots of local wildlife. For this month's #WorldWetlandDay, our Director of Quality and Environment Robin Price visited our new treatment wetlands currently in construction in Benfleet, Essex to highlight the benefits of treatments wetlands on the environment and the water recycling process. Over the next five years, we propose to invest £4 billion in schemes to enhance and protect the environment. This will include using nature-based solutions such as treatment wetlands, along with new sustainable urban drainage schemes. #Wetlands #Environment #Investment

This week Water Resources East team members Hannah Gray, Teresa Meadows, and Morgan Hutcheson attended the #NorfolkFarmingConference at the Norfolk Showground, organised by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. The event brought together a diverse mix of policy-makers, researchers, supply chain actors, and land managers to discuss the future of farming in the UK. Daniel Zeichner, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, opened the event by emphasising the need for farming to be both profitable and sustainable, with fairness in the supply chain for farmers, customers, and the environment. He outlined the Farming Roadmap, a three-strand plan focusing on food production, income diversification, and nature restoration. Water was a key theme throughout the day, with discussions on how agriculture must adapt to climate change through crop diversification, innovation, and water efficiency. Debbie Sparkes from Diageo shared insights into their ‘grain to glass’ sustainability policy, which includes reducing water use and investing in collective action to replenish more than they take. Meanwhile, Archie Ruggles-Brise discussed the Spain’s Hall Estate’s ‘whole farm reservoir’ study, exploring the role of soil, woodland, and wetlands in water storage. A fantastic event highlighting the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the sector—many thanks to all involved! 💧🌱 Read the press release here - https://lnkd.in/eUKRbPtg #Farming #WaterStewardship #Sustainability #NorfolkFarmingConference

🌍 As global water challenges intensify, aligning financial strategies with sustainable water management has never been more critical. Join The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Water Finance Coalition on January 31 for a special webinar that explores the role Public Development Banks and other financial institutions can play in mainstreaming nature-based solutions for water security. ✍ Register here: https://lnkd.in/eqUzNytX Naomi NOEL Diana Madrigal Michael Gardner

As climate change increases the threat of flooding, it's vital we work with nature to limit its impacts. We've updated our internationally recognised Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory to show the multiple ways nature can improve the nation's flood and coastal erosion resilience. Find out more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e_WJ6mZ6

📰 🚜 Farmers and growers invited 🚜 📰 See coverage in the local press in Warwickshire and Worcestershire about a Water Resources West and NFU (National Farmers' Union) event on 13 February at Hawford. To book a place contact the NFU Midlands Hub on 02476 939402 or nfu_midlands@nfu.org.uk by email. https://lnkd.in/efchapMz #Agriculture #Irrigation #SustainableFarming #FarmersOfWarwickshire #FarmersOfWorcestershire

We’re delighted that Water Resources East ’s first annual progress report has been featured in the February edition of The Water Report! The article and report highlights the significant progress made since the publication of our Regional Water Resources Plan for Eastern England in December 2023, including: - Major strides in cross-sector collaboration, with agricultural water resource planning now well underway - Record-low household water consumption at 134.7 litres per person per day, thanks to smart metering and water efficiency initiatives - Key environmental investigations launched to support nature-based solutions and long-term water sustainability - Ongoing challenges from growth, with work underway to manage the impacts of water constraints on business expansion and new housing development With increasing pressure from government targets for housing and industry, it’s clear that bold, coordinated action is needed to secure a sustainable water future for Eastern England 🌍 Read the full WRE Progress Report here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ebbGdjTN Karma Loveday | Anglian Water Services | NFU (National Farmers' Union) | Affinity Water | Essex & Suffolk Water | RWE | South Staffs Water | Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA) | The Rivers Trust | Cambridge Water | Essex County Council | Norfolk County Council | Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority | Suffolk County Council | Urban&Civic