Working together to protect and enhance our water environment Co-creating a long-term plan for the River Evenlode catchment

Smarter Water Catchment Plan Working in partnership March 2021 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 02 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments The River Evenlode is one of the headwaters Evenlode The River Thames, running through the of the River We’re communities of the Cotswolds. rural in our assets to build to investing committed resilience and combat the unacceptable greater schemes sewage. These discharges of untreated but there is so much more a difference, will make this precious and need to do to protect can we generations. current and future resource for Evenlode the River plan for This joint catchment I want years. the next ten outlines our actions for to all the stakeholders to say a huge thank you it and to with us to create worked who have of the the future sure it’s the right one for make wait to work I can’t Evenlode. River wonderful to a catchment restore this river as we with you all be proud of. can condition we Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Thames Water Sarah Bentley Sarah Since joining Thames Water in September, I’ve been spending lots of been spending I’ve in September, Thames Water Since joining and stakeholders. with colleagues, customers to and talking time listening What’s really struck me is the passion andWhat’s really struck and protecting all share for we dedication how, by enhancing our environment, and a really make can working together, we to the quality of our rivers. difference set out our ambition to work more In 2018, we partners and communitiesclosely with our local Called catchments. our river to look after initiative, catchments’ water our ‘smarter it looks at the environment as a ‘system’ and sees us working together in partnership bigger and with others in the region to make as could make than we improvements better face We individual groups and organisations. of the quality challenges to improve significant there is so much more however our catchments, so work together. We’re opportunity when we about how this pioneering approach toexcited management sets a new direction catchment precious and others, will manage our how we, for cycle. water Foreword

Introduction in partnership Working Managing our catchments catchment’ water a ‘smarter Creating planning Catchment plan long-term Our shared multiple benefits Achieving steps Next Acknowledgments

Cover photo: River Evenlode at Bledington Evenlode photo: River Cover Contents 40 39 37 17 11 09 07 06 05

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 01 A message from Introduction

our partners partnership Working in

The Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP) was established with the Environment Agency in 2014 to help local people and organisations work catchments Managing our together to improve river water quality, enhance biodiversity, improve flood management and resilience to climate change and, build greater community engagement with the river and its tributaries.

Partnership members are drawn from a diverse and develop new relationships with landowners. water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter range of backgrounds including our communities, Together this will help the ECP achieve its long- farmers and landowners, river users, consultants, term goal of bringing the Evenlode back to good academia, statutory agencies, local authorities ecological condition - a river and landscape that and NGOs. The ECP is hosted by a local charity truly merits its place at the heart of our community.

Wild Oxfordshire. planning Catchment

The ECP partners have a long track-record of developing and delivering real-world improvements in the catchment. Notable successes include river channel re-engineering,

an ongoing and increasingly expert programme long-term plan Our shared of community-based water quality monitoring, extensive natural flood management measures and work to reduce agricultural pollution through Working together to protect and enhance our water environment regenerative farming techniques. multiple benefits Achieving By strengthening our partnership with Thames Water, the ‘smarter water catchment’ initiative offers the ECP an opportunity to build these Nick Mottram community skills, understand better and find Chair, The Evenlode solutions to the problems that affect water quality Catchment Partnership Next steps Acknowledgments

For more information on this plan, or to work with us, please contact [email protected] or visit the ECP website 03 Citizen Science techniques to monitor water quality 04 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 06 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments Within the Thames region, there are already over region, there are already over Within the Thames in the 27 established involved 400 stakeholders this framework. within partnerships operating in capacity these partnerships all vary However, sources of funding. uncertain depend on and often of all understanding on the collective drawing By across partners and bringing together expertise more robust, create can specialisms, we different local also keep We’ll the future. joint plans for and with our progress communities up to date our plans. them to join us in delivering encourage We must all must We our part in play and protecting enhancing this resource precious the future. for ‘catchment based approach’ provides us ‘catchment Managing the water cycle in England and Wales England and Wales in cycle Managing the water divided amongst several is a responsibility regulatory systems, with varying organisations, all But drivers. mechanisms and external funding more user groups and there are also thousands from, and businesses that depend on, benefit on a daily basis. with water interact to approach a somewhat disjointed This creates to maximise the planning, making it much harder overcome do individually. To of the work we value must work together. these hurdles, we of the Environment within the framework Working Agency’s It brings practice. with an opportunity to put this into local government, together partnerships made up of and companies, environmental authorities, water local and groups, academia community interest all working scale, catchment businesses at the river towards a shared vision. Working in Working partnership stakeholders Create stronger partnerships with environment Public Value Understand how we value our river contribution to Understand the while working in a more holistic way. The first step a more holistic way. The first step while working in plan a catchment is to co-create on this journey within either operate who stakeholders with key in interest a vested and/or have this environment it. and enhancing protecting in partnership This document, which has been written outlines our approach and sets with our stakeholders, a over deliver collectively out the actions which we’ll next month. time period, starting 10-year use a bespoke 2020 and 2025, we’ll Between commitment to measure our progress performance as be as transparent with our regulator Ofwat. To on our progress provide annual updates possible, we’ll we achieve. and share any benefits this? Why are Why we doing we benefits Quantify additional working Purpose of our new approach Purpose of our new Set a precedent for future ways of Inform PR24 investment and decision making

We’re putting this approach into practice to putting this approach into practice We’re benefits key achieve can how we understand We believe we can achieve more by taking a systems- taking more by achieve can we believe We addressing based view of the environment, collectively that solutions multiple challenges and co-delivering bigger the most of opportunities on an even make water This is the premise of our ‘smarter scale. initiative. catchments’ Catchment management can offer better value better offer management can Catchment hard- more traditional benefits than and greater restricted it’s usually However, engineered solutions. working to address ato an individual organisation agricultural as pesticide run-off from single issue, such rivers. land into local

Introduction

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 05 Introduction Managing our Headwaters 1 partnership Working in catchments 2 3

Water is more precious than ever as we face climate change, 9 population growth and changes in consumer behaviours. Abstracting water from rivers and aquifers 7 Add in more extreme weather events, ongoing urbanisation 8 catchments Managing our Storing water and a fundamental shift in our land-use patterns, and it in reservoirs becomes even harder to manage this resource. 4 5 Water By 2045, we estimate they’ll be an extra two million people treatment works Floodplains and 6 living in the Thames region. We’ll need to find new ways to 10 rural communities water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter 13 Nature meet their growing expectations for clean green and blue reserve spaces to enjoy. 11 Distributing clean water The water quality of our rivers is fundamental, not just 14 to homes and businesses for our customers but for the habitats and biodiversity

of species that depend on them. Challenges Treating planning Catchment 12 wastewater and around our ageing infrastructure and Working together to protect sewage in some cases, outdated designs of our and enhance our water wastewater systems, combined with the public environment 15 misconception of what can safely go down drains, can lead to unwanted pollution incidents.

18 long-term plan Our shared 16 19 21 We must take action to share the value Maintaining our of water and work with upstream and 17 20 wastewater networks downstream users across our region Restaurant Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 22 to protect our river catchments for 24 the future. School Urban areas multiple benefits Achieving 23

Opportunities

We’re working closely with our partners to Headwaters Floodplains and rural communities Urban areas Next steps understand the challenges we’re facing and uncover 1. Working with farmers to reduce soil run-off 7. Restoring and naturalising rivers 16. Monitoring water quality for point sources new opportunities to address them. In many 2. Using Natural Flood Management processes 8. Rewilding our river corridors and enhancing of pollution cases, this will lead to activities that also meet the 3. Planting trees to reduce the risk of flooding biodiversity 17. Ensuring drainage is not misconnected individual priorities of the organisations involved. 4. Improving fish passage 9. Managing water resources for public 18. Creating innovative green spaces 5. Managing pesticide and herbicide run-off value and recreation 19. Increasing access to blue/green spaces Acknowledgments We’re identifying opportunities across our catchment 6. Monitoring water quality for diffuse sources 10. Protecting homes from flooding 20. Introducing Sustainable Drainage from headwaters, floodplains and rural communities of pollution 11. Creating natural carbon sinks Systems (SuDS) through to our urban areas. The opportunities 12. Making river corridors safe and clean 21. Connecting new developments could include: 13. Protecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest 22. Correctly disposing fats, oil and grease 14. Improving accessibility 23. Raising awareness through education 15. Returning water to rivers and solids to land 24. Managing highway runoff

07 08 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 10 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments Bishop’s Stortford Hertford Crawley London River Crane River Crane Guildford Slough River Chess River Chess To understand how we can best protect and protect best can we how understand To our new applied we’ve enhance these areas, through each of them. Working methodology to based approach’ framework, the ‘catchment engaged with hundreds of stakeholders we’ve them to take to encourage across each catchment part in this initiative. £3 investing we’re years, next four the Over to trial this initiative. million in each catchment to set up new need we This is the seed funding financial frameworks, governance and improved meet roadmaps to ensure we models and delivery our objectives. Aylesbury Reading Basingstoke Oxford Banbury Newbury River River Evenlode Evenlode Swindon Cirencester Thames Water area Water Thames boundaries Partnership Catchment (2020 - 2025) AMP7 catchments Trial Each partnership, of which Thames Water is of which Thames Water partnership, Each themes that key one part, has identified a set of underpin the unique challenges within each influenced have themes These key catchment. work together to which we’ll our joint objectives, the next 10 years. over achieve plan a bespoke created we’ve Collectively, we need to that identifies all the milestones included also this happen. We’ve hit to make actions that we’ll subsequent year-on-year to meet these milestones. undertake Putting it into practice Putting it into all They catchments. identified three trial We’ve of challenges that are representative varying have across our region: those found Oxfordshire Evenlode, • River Chess, Buckinghamshire • River London West Crane, • River without negatively impacting the environment Working together to Working together protect and enhance our water environment We’ll create a sustainable management model that understands the scale of benefits we can achieve, setting a precedent for future ways of working. Delivering solutions that achieve multiple benefits Applying a ‘systems thinking’ approach to address multiple challenges holistically Embedding our approach in water industry planning Catchment-wide solutions Catchment-wide solutions considering the most effective solutions Prioritising our partnership objectives Annual partnership actions Partnership-led Each catchment will have a unique ambition and set of objectives that are locally appropriate – and we’ll deliver these by working together. Identifying key activities for delivery by all participants Working in a unified way with a diverse set of committed stakeholders To build better functioning river catchments

We’ll plan appropriate interventions over a longer timescale to realise environmental benefits and safeguard our most precious resource. Protecting and enhancing the environment Creating a 10-year delivery plan together for each selected catchment Long-term plan Outputs

Evidence-based Identifying the most appropriate course of action through data collection, monitoring and analysis Strategy

Vision Outcomes

Over the last few years, we’ve been looking for the best way been looking for we’ve years, the last few Over management. catchment change in holistic a step to deliver this. us achieve a new methodology to help now created We’ve

water catchment’ water Creating a ‘smarter Creating

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 09 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 12 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments Visualising the ECP strategy Moving forwards, we’ll underpin this plan with we’ll Moving forwards, and evidence and data robust monitoring inclusive collection while encouraging and across the catchment communication and refining it periodically. reviewing The Evenlode Catchment Partnership has has Partnership Catchment The Evenlode themes. key based on four a strategy developed and was able to share their thoughts Everyone building an into each theme, dived ideas as we benefits key help us deliver action plan that can environment. river the overall and improve Building an action plan Building an Education, access and recreation 4 Natural Flood Management and resilience 3 Despite this beautiful setting, the River Evenlode Evenlode setting, the River this beautiful Despite Status meet Good Ecological to is currently failing Directive Framework Water by the (GES) as defined quality, particularly high water (WFD). Poor source point and diffuse phosphorus loadings from (including damage to habitat pollution, and physical for are the primary reasons barriers such as weirs) of wildlife This is reducing the diversity these failures. living as the number of fish and macrophytes as well in our river. Themes 2 River Evenlode strategy Evenlode River 1 landscape habitat and Biodiversity, Water quality and advocacy

The landscape in this catchment is some of the finest the of some is catchment this in landscape The Area of part of the Cotswolds in the country, forming Beauty (AONB), the remains of Natural Outstanding and of Wychwood Hunting forest the ancient Royal There of Blenheim Palace. Site Heritage the World such as towns nearby, are many historic market and Woodstock. Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh include oak-ash woodland, limestone Habitats which support lowland meadows and fen, grasslands, of wildlife. a wide range The River Evenlode rises out of the limestone that rises out of the limestone Evenlode The River south-east towards flowing underlies the Cotswolds, The catchment Thames. River of the the clay vales as the Evenlode, including 18 waterbodies, contains Glyme and Dorn. as the major tributaries well

Following the flow of the River Evenlode of the River the flow Following

catchment planning catchment River Evenlode River

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 11 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 14 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments in the main rivers and tributaries in the main rivers management to plain and changing floodplain woodlands), which land uses (e.g. meadows, wet flows and reduce the nutrient will slow overland and soil loss into the river new and existing schemes and incentives various biodiversity Along the riverbanks, there are several lost, gappy are several there Along the riverbanks, hedgerows and trees. In manyor poorly managed stone walls. replaces traditional places, wire fencing making and isolated, are rare Ancient grasslands have wet meadows them difficult to manage, while or ploughed. A combination of ash been drained led to a loss ofdie back and poor management has woodland habitat Evenlode Building on the Environment Agency’s want to we project, restoration landscape river that will enhance a programme develop further physical our river’s and improve biodiversity and ecology. habitat this by: achieve We’ll or providing fish easement to barriers • Removing flood with its natural the river • Reconnecting through landscape a rich, biodiverse • Cultivating changes in • Monitoring and evaluating Biodiversity, habitat Biodiversity, and landscape Water quality issues, changes in land quality issues, changes Water all impact can engineering river management and our biodiversity. has undergone Evenlode In the past, the River and flood defence dredging activities for extensive been purposes. Some sections have land drainage their natural from and moved over-deepened Weirs and other alignment within the floodplain. past industrial from man-made structures left over reduce their use block the passage of fish and modifications access to spawning grounds. These from being disconnected in the river resulted have for much of its length. Although the floodplain along the water) there are riffles (areas of shallow channel it’s mostly a uniform course of the river, variation riverbed flow, with limited and steady and much fine sediment. rare, and much is flood meadow habitat Natural to arable floor has been converted of the valley land is where soil land. In flood conditions, arable This negatively and nutrient losses are greatest. and its banks and impacts the ecology of the river flooding downstream. exacerbate can is recognised landscape While the distinctive through its important as being internationally Natural designation as an Area of Outstanding in decline. Beauty, it’s still a landscape Protecting local wildlife and habitats wildlife local Protecting investment address the problems The high phosphorus concentration in the river leads in the river concentration The high phosphorus algal causing the water enriching to eutrophication, and summer. This is likely spring blooms in the late water) periods of high turbidity (cloudy to cause the quantity during low summer flows, affecting and fish. invertebrates of macrophytes, and diversity seen the impact of this much more frequently We’ve or physical In periods of high flow in recent years. can a storm, phosphorus disturbance, such as after sediments. river also be remobilised from to support ecology want to work collaboratively We sure the River and make across the catchment recognise we GES. However, achieve can Evenlode this. achieve will be required to that more investment work towards this by: We’ll quality monitoring • Increasing water causes of root our understanding • Refining • Increasing awareness through advocacy sufficient and additional for • Campaigning and implementing new solutions to • Identifying

Downstream of Ashford Bridge, North Leigh Bridge, Downstream of Ashford During bad weather, heavy rainfall combined with rainfall heavy During bad weather, STW and/or an inadequate infiltration groundwater result in more phosphorus can capacity, storage discharges. A through untreated rivers entering smaller amount of phosphorus (around 28%) also of diffuse along with silt, because rivers, enters pollution. agricultural According to the Environment Agency’s SourceAccording to the Environment Agency’s System Information Apportionment Geographical phosphorus contribution from the average (SAGIS), 65%. Right now,sewage treatment works (STWs) is sewage is only part of the phosphorus removal Dorn tributaries. treatment process on the Glyme and Phosphorus is a common component in the organic Phosphorus is a common component It’s also of sewage and industrial effluent. waste and manure. While fertilisers present in agricultural reduce much of it can too plant life, it’s essential for a oxygen, which is needed for of dissolved levels environment. river healthy In the latest WFD assessment (2019), none of the WFD assessment In the latest ‘good’ achieved catchment in the 18 waterbodies high phosphorus levels. largely due to status, ecological

Reducing phosphorus levels Reducing and advocacy Water quality Water 13 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 16 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments To help schools access and visit their local and visit their local help schools access To River of the Evenlode stretch information, with provide educators To all ages people of resources and skills to teach and its catchment River about the Evenlode to and their teachers people enable young To and ecologically for, action to care positive take Evenlode the River improve, It’s also fundamental that we educate the next educate that we It’s also fundamental activities to bespoke delivering by generation as school pupils, as well primary and secondary the ‘train through giving the right skills to teachers days. trainer’ Education an Evenlode structure and deliver We’ll aims: based on three key Programme 1. Connect: 2. Educate: 3. Act: quality environment health mental improve activities, supporting nature environmental change and acting on climate recovery communities protects programme catchments’ to reconnected the river flooding and see from the floodplain such as locally landscape, Valleys the Evenlode grown food the catchment The River Evenlode is home to a number of Evenlode The River but there’s a concern that engaged communities, increasingly disconnected people are becoming living locally environment. People the water from significant enjoy or in the surrounding areas could by engaging wellbeing benefits to their health and Deeper with the environment around them. will with the river connections and interactions of care and take to value everyone also encourage this precious resource. of programme a bespoke plan to develop We its and river of the activities to show the relevance within the community. catchment This will include: health activity in a high- physical • Promoting and • Improving access to nature to maintain in communities to participate • Encouraging water how the ’smarter • Understanding living with products from sustainable • Promoting across • Organising knowledge exchange events Encouraging communities to embrace the Evenlode embrace to communities Encouraging Education, access Education, and recreation landscape-scale vision landscape-scale services) capital/ecosystem benefits (natural and wider communities, stakeholders to local audiences business NFM within agricultural implement land management changes, including management changes, including implement land technique hedgerow and cropping/cultivation changes. system farm as whole adjustments as well NFM pilotBuilding on the Environment Agency’s and wider NFM programme, at Bruern Estate project of the effectiveness this will help us to understand also build on our established measures. We’ll different been links, which we’ve and academic consultancy area, plus trial using to monitor and model the tributary engagement. expand our community Citizen Science all this by: achieve We’ll NFM solutions within our • Integrating NFM solutions and the potential • Communicating deliver with landowners to sustainably • Working

Bruern Estate We’ll engage with communities and landowners engage with communities and landowners We’ll a to develop catchment within the Evenlode which vision and strategy, landscape-scale flood management (NFM) will include natural of projects a range develop We’ll techniques. and including river across the catchment, and floodplain reconnection, NFM interventions of projects scale land management changes. The channel, riverbank small-scale from will range through to large- and floodplain interventions We’ll also floor. reconnections of the valley scale There are several rural communities at risk of rural There are several Land catchment. Evenlode the flooding within engineering approaches and management, soft will help us to slow interventions restoration river flows and increase store overland and temporarily also into the soil. These measures will infiltration quality and biodiversity water help us to improve and Flood and align with the ambitions of the Zero and Carbon Risk Management Strategy Coastal 2030.

Protecting local homes and businesses local Protecting and resilience Natural Flood Management Management Flood Natural 15 Introduction

Our shared The collective vision for the Evenlode catchment We want to achieve our ambition of good We’ll engage with local communities, landowners ecological status across the whole catchment. and stakeholders to improve connectivity partnership Working in long-term plan To do this, we must reverse the degradation and throughout the catchment and share experiences, fragmentation of our habitats and species, historic solutions, expertise and culture. landscapes and freshwater bodies. We’ll also expand our monitoring and data collection

The combined pressure of climate change and the for water quality and biodiversity, using evidence to catchments Managing our rapid growth of rural settlements makes reaching drive change, deliver restoration projects, enhance this goal harder. More extreme weather events ecosystem services and reset attitudes. also increase the risk of flooding or untreated sewage spills. We need to work closely together to tackle these new challenges. water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter Water quality and advocacy action plan planning Catchment Sub-theme: Point source pollution

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 long-term plan Our shared

Expand existing Develop Collate sonde data Integrate data Integrate data Integrate data Integrate data Integrate data Integrate data Integrate data Citizen Science community with existing from Citizen from Citizen from Citizen from Citizen from Citizen from Citizen from Citizen sampling mapping and Riverfly and Citizen Science Science Science Science Science Science Science programme and monitoring of Science P and N

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment provide equipment watercourses monitoring Explore training Analyse pilot Explore training Explore training Continue Continue Continue to volunteers to specialists to project and specialists to specialists to monitoring and monitoring and monitoring and monitor nitrate (N), Integrate data Explore training monitor across investigate monitor across the monitor across the data analysis data analysis data analysis phosphorus (P) and from Citizen specialists to the catchment location for next P catchment catchment turbidity. Ensure Science monitor across the removal project Analyse pilot Review sonde Explore training multiple benefits Achieving alignment with catchment Continue Continue Continue project and numbers and specialists to wider water quality Continue monitoring and Continue monitoring and monitoring and investigate locations monitor across the monitoring project monitoring. Continue data analysis monitoring and data analysis data analysis location for next P catchment Collate and monitoring and data analysis removal projects Explore training Explore and agree analyse sonde data analysis as Utilise data to Feed analysis into Review sonde specialists to Feed analysis into storage of data, data before compare with Review sonde design and numbers and Explore training monitor across the design and mapping and access and refine WFD numbers and investment locations specialists to catchment investment using existing Compare and Review sonde locations programme for monitor across the programme for systems contrast real time numbers and Plan exhibition of selected works for Feed analysis into catchment Feed analysis into selected works for data sets with locations ‘Our River’ delivery of upgrade design and design and delivery of Next steps Explore integrating headline data findings. as required by investment Feed analysis into investment upgrade as with other water currently provided Plan pilot Capture 2030 programme for design and programme for required by 2035 quality projects; by TW to the EA technology P community selected works for investment selected works for using existing and OFWAT removal project engagement Plan pilot delivery of programme for delivery of upgrade knowledge from technology P upgrade as selected works for as required by partners Explore training removal project required by 2030 delivery of 2030 specialists to upgrade as monitor across the required by 2030

catchment Acknowledgments Key Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035)

17 18 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Point source pollution catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Analysis of all Investigate Feed analysis into Feed analysis into Explore training Disseminate Disseminate Disseminate Disseminate Disseminate available data sets alternative design and design and specialists to performance data performance data performance data performance data performance data undertaken by technologies for investment investment monitor across the from works to EA, from works to EA, from works to EA, from works to EA, from works to EA, water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter independent phosphorus programme for programme for catchment OFWAT, media OFWAT, media OFWAT, media OFWAT, media OFWAT, media reviewer to ensure removal, such as selected works for selected works for and academic and academic and academic and academic and academic transparency; integrated delivery of upgrade delivery of Feed analysis into outlets outlets outlets outlets outlets including Flow to constructed as required by upgrade as design and Full Treatment, wetlands (ICW) 2025 required by 2025 investment Continue Continue Continue Continue Continue storm tank capacity programme for campaigns campaigns campaigns campaigns campaigns and spilling of Use output and Disseminate Disseminate selected works for untreated sewage investigation to performance data performance delivery of Run training Run training Run training Run training Run training at all STWs input to design of data from works upgrade as workshops for workshops for workshops for workshops for workshops for from works to EA, planning Catchment alternative OFWAT, media to EA, OFWAT, required by 2030 riverfly, riverfly, riverfly, riverfly, riverfly, Develop and realise technologies and academic media and macrophytes and macrophytes and macrophytes and macrophytes and macrophytes and catchment-wide and/or ICW into outlets academic outlets Disseminate diatoms. Explore diatoms. Explore diatoms. Explore diatoms. Explore diatoms. Explore water quality one STW for performance data EA surveying and EA surveying and EA surveying and EA surveying and EA surveying and monitoring strategy delivery by 2025 Continue Continue from works to EA, other identification other other other identification other campaigns campaigns. OFWAT, media techniques identification identification techniques identification Develop project to Feed analysis into and academic techniques techniques techniques capture ‘Our River’ design and Run training Run training outlets Regular Regular with communities investment workshops for workshops for engagement with Regular Regular engagement with Regular and link with programme for riverfly, riverfly, Continue Catchment engagement with engagement with Catchment engagement with community and selected works for macrophytes and macrophytes and campaigns Champions Catchment Catchment Champions Catchment long-term plan Our shared access projects delivery of upgrade diatoms. Explore diatoms. Explore Champions Champions Champions as required by EA surveying and EA surveying and Run training Campaign for all 2025 other identification other workshops for Deliver pilot Report on works to have techniques identification riverfly, technology effectiveness of phosphorus removal Disseminate techniques macrophytes and phosphorus the community performance data Regular diatoms. Explore removal project engagement for Working together to protect and enhance our water environment Campaign against from works to EA, engagement with Regular EA surveying and all strategy untreated sewage in OFWAT, media and Catchment engagement with other rivers academic outlets Champions Catchment identification Champions techniques multiple benefits Achieving Regular Continue Continue ‘Our engagement with campaigns River’ project Deliver pilot Regular Catchment technology P engagement with Champions Run training removal project Catchment workshops for Champions Identify suitable riverfly, Expand sonde equipment macrophytes and monitoring Explore and for purchase/lease diatoms. Explore programme develop and install EA surveying and incremental

other identification Implement monitoring/recordi Next steps techniques phosphorus ng of river system removal at 4 STW to create record of Regular change as the engagement with water travels down Catchment the catchment Champions Key Continue ‘Our River’ project Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources Acknowledgments

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035)

19 20 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Diffuse pollution catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Hotspot mapping of Develop a pilot Implement pilot Implement pilot Update hotspot Review pilot Implement Implement Implement Engage with key areas community project community project community mapping of key community solutions to solutions to solutions to address farmers and water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter project areas projects address diffuse address diffuse diffuse pollution landowners, link Scope optioneering Develop a plan to Implement plan to pollution with pollution with with landowners with sustainable and feasibility for expand Bruern expand Bruern Implement plan Review and revise Scope optioneering landowners and landowners and and farmers farming and diffuse pollution nutrient solutions nutrient solutions to expand Bruern gap analysis of and feasibility for farmers farmers landscape projects including nutrient solutions diffuse sources of diffuse pollution Engage with restoration ‘Bruern nutrient Engage with Engage with pollution projects Deliver a Engage with farmers and solutions’ farmers and farmers and Engage with knowledge farmers and landowners, link landowners, link landowners, link farmers and Implement pilot Engage with exchange event landowners, link with sustainable Review gap analysis with sustainable with sustainable landowners, link community farmers and with sustainable farming and of diffuse sources of farming and farming and with sustainable project landowners, link Engage with farming and landscape planning Catchment pollution landscape landscape farming and with sustainable farmers and landscape restoration restoration restoration landscape Implement plan to farming and landowners, link restoration Deliver a knowledge restoration expand Bruern landscape with sustainable Secure funding and exchange event Secure funding and Secure funding and nutrient solutions restoration farming and Secure funding deliver catchment from AMP6 Trials deliver catchment deliver catchment Ensure alignment landscape and deliver projects including Bruern projects projects with Environment Engage with Secure funding and restoration catchment Trials Land farmers and deliver catchment projects Management landowners, link projects Secure funding Engage with (ELM) scheme with sustainable and deliver

farmers and farming and catchment long-term plan Our shared landowners, link Secure funding landscape projects with sustainable and deliver restoration farming and catchment landscape projects Secure funding restoration and deliver catchment Working together to protect and enhance our water environment Secure funding and projects deliver catchment projects Key multiple benefits Achieving Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Next steps Acknowledgments

21 22 Introduction partnership Working in

Biodiversity, habitat and catchments Managing our landscape action plan Sub-theme: River and floodplain restoration water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Commission wet Explore developing Capture benefits Training Citizen Identify barriers in Upskill volunteers Remove prioritised Design and deliver Assess river habitat Commission river grassland survey plan to engage delivered Science tributaries and in monitoring and barriers on the fish passage and fish surveys habitat and fish planning Catchment and update priority Citizen Science in volunteers in plan prioritisation surveying tributaries easement projects surveys to assess habitats mapping monitoring, Continue with monitoring of removal techniques Remove prioritised changes overlaps with point landowner surveying Continue with Continue with barriers on the Review existing source pollution engagement for techniques Review benefits Design and deliver landowner landowner tributaries Review river habitat, fish surveys river restoration delivered fish passage engagement for engagement for restoration along with Establish metrics of Design and easement projects river restoration river restoration Continue with projects over the hydrological success for deliver fish Continue with landowner last 10 years monitoring, and biodiversity passage landowner Continue with Explore options for engagement for plan which easement engagement for landowner further river river restoration Review

floodplain habitats Continue to projects river restoration engagement for restoration effectiveness of long-term plan Our shared would be most develop plans to river restoration funding fish easements appropriate to link deliver fish passage Continue with over the last 10 to the river easement projects landowner Review options for years reconnection engagement for further river Continue with river restoration restoration funding Review benefits Identify barriers in landowner delivered Working together to protect and enhance our water environment tributaries and plan engagement for Explore options prioritisation of river restoration for further river Report on areas removal restoration and lengths

funding restored multiple benefits Achieving Review how river landscape restoration can link to agricultural scheme payments Continue with landowner engagement for

river restoration Next steps Secure funding to develop river Key restoration projects Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period Acknowledgments AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035)

23 24 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Community catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Plan for river Establish plans for Establish plans for Establish plans for Review river Support at least Support at least Support at least Support at least Support at least community days river community river community river community community days in one community in one community in one community in one community in one community in day in conjunction day in conjunction day in conjunction conjunction with improving localised improving localised improving localised improving localised improving localised water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter Enable Combe pond with outreach with outreach with outreach outreach officer environmental environmental environmental environmental environmental project to be officer officer officer benefits benefits benefits benefits benefits delivered Support at least Prioritise projects, Organise river Organise river one community in Engage with plan, develop community day in community day in improving localised communities on secure funding for conjunction with conjunction with environmental freshwater habitat delivery outreach officer outreach officer benefits projects Organise river Support at least Support at least Secure funding for community day in one community in one community in planning Catchment river community day conjunction with improving localised improving localised outreach officer environmental environmental benefits benefits Secure funding for river community Secure funding for Secure funding day river community for river day community day Key long-term plan Our shared Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) multiple benefits Achieving Next steps Acknowledgments

25 26 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Landscape restoration catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Identify AONB Survey of Assess Assess Review Map land Review Initiate Phase 4 Initiate Phase 5 Review and report Survey of special qualities hedgerows and opportunities for effectiveness of by SFI Standards effectiveness of habitat restoration habitat restoration on effectiveness of hedgerows, common to the drystone walls and farmers and land Phase 1 and and Nature farmer and land projects projects farmer and land drystone walls and water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter Evenlode species rich managers to align initiate Phase 2 Recovery Network manager manager species rich Catchment grassland with ELMs in Wigwell habitat and report engagement Deliver hedge, Deliver hedge, engagement grassland collaboration with restoration changes platforms and wall, species rich wall, species rich platforms and conserved Map catchment by Conduct sustainable project approaches grassland grassland approaches SFI (sustainable optioneering for farming Scope out restoration restoration Review Map land farming initiative) restoration of opportunities for Initiate Phase 3 projects projects Initiate phase 6 by SFI Standards Standards and habitats Initiate Phase 1 Deliver hedge, habitat restoration habitat restoration habitat restoration and Nature Nature Recovery Wigwell habitat wall, species rich project roll out in projects projects Recovery Network Network Extend restoration project grassland other areas and report engagement to restoration Deliver hedge, wall, Deliver hedge, wall, changes planning Catchment Scope opportunities farmers and Engage local projects Establish species rich species rich and early projects landowners not in communities communication grassland grassland Produce report on Cluster Group Support launch of and learning restoration projects restoration projects effectiveness of Align with AONB Secure funding and ELMs strategy for habitat restoration strategy and resources for farmers and land schemes guidelines project delivery managers on historic, Confirm format and environmental detail of Farming in Geoconservation

Protected and Batscapes long-term plan Our shared Landscapes (FiPL) Review and secure funding and resources for project delivery Working together to protect and enhance our water environment Key Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources multiple benefits Achieving

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Next steps Acknowledgments

27 28 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Sustainable farming catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Create baseline Gather farmer Develop metrics of Deliver capital Review baseline Consider Align with AMP9 Deliver capital Deliver capital Report on ideas and success to deliver projects expansion/ planning projects projects effectiveness of Gather farmer ideas knowledge of incremental Assess success of alignment of sustainable water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter and knowledge of regenerative change in holistic Expand projects in landscape area of Deliver capital Expand Expand carbon farming regenerative techniques farm management biodiversity net isolation and at focus and/or projects biodiversity net trading scheme approaches, techniques gain capture the landscape generate blue-print gain capture methods and Conduct Review and revise scale for neighbouring Expand engagement Prioritise target preliminary design biodiversity net Rollout carbon catchments and biodiversity net Expand carbon habitats, areas and and gain and carbon trading to core Mid-term review landscapes gain capture trading scheme criteria implementation trading projects Phase 1 plans Deliver capital Review and Secure Register official Roll out adoption Training Review and revise projects Phase 2 expand carbon engagement of ‘Farm cluster’ Align with AMP8 of regenerative volunteers in biodiversity net trading scheme farmers and planning Catchment planning techniques surveying gain capture Expand landowners Secure membership techniques biodiversity net Expand fee of farmers and Pilot carbon Deliver capital Feasibility review gain capture engagement of landowners already trading initiative projects Phase 1 for Phase 2 farmers and registered to Expand carbon landowners demonstrate Pilot biodiversity Deliver capital trading scheme engagement net gain on projects pending projects Upskill volunteers Secure funding for Review and revise in new surveying

farm cluster Secure carbon trading techniques long-term plan Our shared facilitator engagement of initiatives farmers and landowners already registered

Secure further Working together to protect and enhance our water environment sources for the capital project fund and investment partners multiple benefits Achieving Key Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Next steps Acknowledgments

29 30 Introduction partnership Working in

Natural Flood Management catchments Managing our and resilience action plan

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Undertake a gap Review joint Develop NFM Review NFM farm Implement pilot Review farm scale Review NFM farm Review Implement pilot Review NFM farm analysis of NFM venture intervention plan scale pilot scheme farm scale NFM pilot scheme 1 and scale pilot scheme regenerative farm scale NFM scale pilot scheme evidence opportunities to and field scale scheme 1 plan scheme 2 and field scale agricultural scheme 2 and field scale deliver NFM and Align with ELMs intervention trials intervention trials practices intervention trials Undertake a review climate resilience taking account of Design and deliver Update priority taking account of Design and deliver taking account of of priority flood Implement pilot climate resilience an R&D field scale locations and climate resilience Implement pilot an R&D field scale climate resilience planning Catchment locations and Review farm scale NFM NFM intervention communities farm scale NFM NFM intervention and climate communities regenerative scheme 1 Review joint on landholding 2 considering Host a NFM scheme 2 on landholding 4 resilience agricultural venture impacts of new knowledge share Review NFM practices in line Use lessons learnt opportunities to developments with landowners, Plan and secure Align results from research including with farm cluster to assist another deliver NFM and farmers and local funding and R&D PAS with NFM low cost schemes initiatives community with climate resilience Review current community field scale NFM with public for potential roll out; installation of early National NFM intervention attitudes survey linking with diffuse Develop R&D flood warning Align with research and Implement pilot concentration in pollution and programme plan system ELMs planning case-studies for farm scale NFM landholding 4 Review and report

regenerative potential roll out scheme 2 on R&D pilot long-term plan Our shared agriculture Identify farm-scale Design and deliver Implement pilot schemes surface water pilot an R&D field scale farm scale NFM Plan and secure Design and deliver Align results from and tie in with NFM intervention scheme 1 funding to test an R&D field scale PAS (public catchment on landholding 1 different NFM NFM intervention attitudes survey) sensitive farming Plan and secure interventions at on landholding 3 with NFM and landscape funding to deliver field scale in

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment restoration NFM interventions landholding 3 Host a NFM at field scale in knowledge share Host a NFM landholding 2

with landowners, knowledge share multiple benefits Achieving farmers and local with landowners, community farmers and local community Assist with installation of Plan and secure community flood funding for R&D warning at The programme to test Heath, Milton under different NFM Wychwood interventions at

field scale Key Next steps Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Acknowledgments

31 32 Introduction partnership Working in

Education, access and catchments Managing our recreation action plan Sub-theme: Education water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Develop knowledge Develop pilot Extend river schools Extend river Hold teacher Explore the Review feasibility Hold teacher Hold teacher Review PhD exchange project for River programme schools training day possibility to to expand river training day training day students and planning Catchment programme and Schools throughout programme Graduate PGC develop material schools Graduate PGC Graduate PGC partnership resources catchment throughout programme and links to expand programme programme programme arrangements Hold teacher catchment river schools Employ full-time training day Hold teacher Support and programme to Hold teacher Support and Support and Review MSc/BSc education officer. Graduate PGC training day Hold teacher mentor one other catchments training day mentor one mentor one students and Start recruiting May, programme Graduate PGC training day MSc/BSc student in Thames region Graduate PGC MSc/BSc student MSc/BSc student partnership initial funds to be programme Graduate PGC Integrate student programme Integrate student Integrate student arrangements received by Support and programme with ECP project Hold teacher with ECP project with ECP project mid-May. Full mentor one Support and training day Support and Expand links for

funding Sept 1st MSc/BSc student. mentor one Support and Deliver knowledge Graduate PGC mentor one Deliver knowledge Deliver knowledge teacher training long-term plan Our shared Integrate student MSc/BSc student mentor one exchange event programme MSc/BSc student exchange event exchange event PGC programme Reinforce ties with with ECP project Integrate student MSc/BSc student Integrate student Oxford Uni teacher with ECP project Integrate student Link PhD student Consolidate with ECP project Link PhD student Consolidate training PGC Deliver knowledge with ECP project with knowledge learning from with knowledge outcomes from programme exchange event Deliver knowledge exchange event MSc/BSc students Deliver knowledge exchange event learning exchange event Deliver and partnership exchange event exchanges, and

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment Develop ties with knowledge Hold arrangements educational local businesses to exchange event cross-catchment programmes partner and host primary and Deliver knowledge

MSc/BSc students secondary teacher exchange event multiple benefits Achieving conference and Develop links with learning event universities to secure interest with PhD students Secure funding Secure funding

Key Next steps Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources

Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Acknowledgments

33 34 Introduction partnership Working in

Sub-theme: Community, access and recreation catchments Managing our

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31

Conduct public Identify and Consolidate Develop ECP Review outcomes Review impact of Review impact of Review impact of Conduct public Consolidate water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter attitudes survey develop stakeholder resilience, growth of pilot guided walks and outreach to outreach work attitudes survey outcomes from community water engagement and and sustainability cross-theme links with health disadvantaged with farmers and public attitudes Launch SWC Plan awareness and advocacy strategy learning and communities community Expand survey, learning conservation of strategies into a access Review feasibility Sustainability exchanges, and Employ outreach water use unified approach Develop 3 public to develop public Review Expand model approach outreach officer. Part funding guided walks Explore public engagement sustainability, Sustainability by mid-May, full Develop 3 public Develop 3 public engagement initiatives for water engagement and model approach Hold school visit Review funding by 1st Sept guided walks guided walks Hold school visit initiatives to awareness, use and investment event effectiveness of event improve public management approach and Pilot public water sustainability, and Develop programme Hold community Hold community awareness of resourcing wise awareness Present at local investment planning Catchment of events and foster visits visits Present at local water Scope project events to promote approach links with education Develop links with Develop links with events to opportunities for Pilot public water ECP and and farming schools in Oxford schools in Oxford promote ECP and Scope models for wider stakeholder wise awareness Hold community community Review community community financial engagement project visits engagement effectiveness of Present at local Present at local engagement sustainability and public water and events to promote events to promote resourcing Pilot new Hold community Present at local wastewater use ECP and ECP and approaches to visits events to promote plans community community Develop 3 public investment and ECP and engagement engagement guided walks sustainability Present at local community Present at local

events to promote engagement events to promote long-term plan Our shared Present at local Hold community ECP and ECP and events to promote visits community community ECP and engagement engagement community Present at local engagement events to promote ECP and Working together to protect and enhance our water environment community engagement

Key multiple benefits Achieving Supporting actions Data collection Analysis Plans Engagement Project delivery Secure resources Asset Management Plan (AMP) period

AMP7 (2020 - 2025) AMP8 (2025 - 2030) AMP9 (2030 - 2035) Next steps Acknowledgments

35 36 Working in Managing our Creating a ‘smarter Catchment Our shared Achieving 38 Introduction partnership catchments water catchment’ planning long-term plan multiple benefits Next steps Acknowledgments river flow Improving habitat Creating/ enhancing flood risk Reducing Reducing heritage water quality Protecting

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Developing partnership R Creating a catchment’ ‘smarter water Promoting community engagement wellbeing Promoting health and Raising carbon awareness footprint and support Reducing benefits economic Delivering Identify which measures are most effective to effective which measures are most Identify benefits achieve in Help our partners assess their progress their own objectives achieving sector with an increased the water Provide that partnerships of the potential understanding decisions when making investment offer can Collecting this evidence will help us to demonstrate us to demonstrate will help this evidence Collecting as: as well of our approach the value • • • of the at the start finalise the criteria We’ll on our and provide annual updates programme progress.

We believe a collaborative and cross-sector approach a collaborative believe We social and multiple environmental, will deliver catchment our we deliver financial benefits. So, while we of this as collect as much evidence plans, we’ll the whole across using an agreed set of criteria can using input shape these criteria We’ll programme. possible, seek to sources, and wherever several from our success. quantify Across the industry, there’s been a huge drive to huge drive Across the industry, there’s been a tools to new assessments and use the right create add. So far, these solutions can the value demonstrate to is yet and one single approach is limited, evidence process. the mainstream price review for be adopted We can’t assess nature-based solutions using the assess nature-based solutions can’t We calculations as cost-benefit same methods and in hard-engineered investing would to justify we provide many they is because This infrastructure. and user groups communities more benefits to local and beyond. across the catchment

benefits Achieving multiple Achieving

Working together to protect and enhance our water environment 37 Introduction

Next steps Acknowledgements partnership Working in

From April 2021, we’ll begin to deliver the Year 1 Our initial investment of £3 million in each catchment Thames Water would like to thank all of the enthusiasm expressed to achieve this vision and

actions of our ‘smarter water catchment’ plans. will make a huge difference, but our partnership organisations and individuals representing the look forward to working together to deliver the plan. catchments Managing our members will also seek additional funding and partnership who have contributed their valuable For each catchment partnership, we’ve established resources and capitalise on external opportunities technical inputs, insights and time during the The information provided to develop this plan is a new project steering group made up of wherever possible to deliver our joint aims. process, through various forums and engagement correct as of 31st March 2021, and has the formal representatives from different organisations and platforms, to enable the joint development of this support of key stakeholders. sectors, and chaired by the catchment host While we’re keen to get going with our plans, plan. We greatly appreciate the commitment and water catchment’ Creating a ‘smarter organisation. They will oversee the delivery of our understanding the most effective governance goals and drive forward our overall approach. structures and financial models will also be a key Partners priority over the next year to enable our new way Atkins Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group - South West We’ll set up relevant sub-groups to draw in subject of working. Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Forestry Commission matter experts and enhance the progress that Blenheim Palace and Estate Natural England can be made. Wherever possible, we’ll exchange Catchment Champions’ Oxfordshire County Council planning Catchment knowledge and best practice across the whole Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) RSK programme to identify the most efficient and Cotswolds AONB Sylva Foundation effective ways of working. If you’d like to help Cotswolds Conservation Board Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Cotswolds Rivers Trust University of Oxford us make a step Daylesford Upper Thames Fisheries Consultative change and care Earthwatch West Oxfordshire District Council long-term plan Our shared Environment Agency Wild Oxfordshire for water across this Evenlode Catchment Partnership members Windrush AEC catchment, we’d love Farm-Ed Wychwood Project

for you to join in. Special thanks to multiple benefits Achieving Ann Berkeley Anne Miller Daryl Buck Jola Miziniak Neil Clennell Nick Mottram Mark Connelly Rosie Nelson Tim Field Jo Old Next steps David Gasca-Tucker John Pratt Jen Hurst Mark Purvis June Jones Kesella Scott-Somme Jo Leigh Simon Smith Vaughan Lewis Helena Soteriou

Leticia Miguel-Chinchilla James Webb Acknowledgments

Photography • Front cover photo taken by Jo Old, • Page 13 photo taken by Ann Berkeley, Environment Agency Wild Oxfordshire • Pages 2 and 6 photos taken by Thames Water • Pages 15 and 39 photos taken by David Gasca- • Page 4 photo taken by Earthwatch Tucker, Atkins 39 ECP meeting at Combe Mill 40 We welcome your views on this ‘smarter water catchment’ plan. Please share them with our dedicated team via Working in partnership [email protected].