Focussing on addressing water quality and water resource challenges across our 11 A-WINEP target catchments.  Specifically, in reducing the nutrient input to our environment and exploring opportunities to address low flows.

We'll be adopting 2 approaches:

1. An £11m Fund will support projects which reduce diffuse pollution and mitigate the impact of low flows. Project applicants will be required to demonstrate 50% match-funding, delivering more investment into these projects and their impact whilst delivering greater value for money for our customers. Read more on our A-WINEP Catchment Regeneration Fund.
2. Utilising the results from extensive NbS modelling across the A-WINEP catchments, the Rural Regeneration Programme will invite partners to work with us.  Designing, developing and delivering nature-based solution projects that deliver maximum impact to the environment. One example of this type of project might be the installation a wetland next to one of our smaller Water Recycling Centres, sitting in the headwater of a catchment, that would help lessen the impact of that Water Recycling Centre on the local environment.  

The 11 A-WINEP rural target catchments are:

• North West Norfolk Rivers
• North Norfolk
• Wensum
• Bure
• Wissey
• Yare
• Little Ouse & Thet
• Waveney
• Lark
• Cam Lower
• Cam Rhee & Granta

NbS (Nature based Solutions) Modelling 

In preparation for A-WINEP, a specialist external consultant was employed to conduct extensive modelling across the 11 rural and two urban A-WINEP catchments. This modelling looked at both water quality and flow.

The results of this modelling enables the prioritisation of A-WINEP investment based on the extent of the impact on the ecological health of the catchment achievable through the implementation of specific nature-based solutions. In other words, the modelling has identified ‘target hotspots’ – areas where we know investing in specific NbS will deliver the greatest impact.