A Water Restoration Project
For the Avon, Gara & Slapton Ley, and Kingsbridge Salcombe Estuary
Devising a delivery plan
That could restore most water bodies in the operational catchments above to Good Ecological status by 2030.
Working In collaboration
Including scientists, farmers, landowners, residents, environmental organisations, catchment community groups, and local government.
Your part in this
To raise awareness about collective responsibility for catchment-sensitive behaviour, for households, businesses and policy makers.
Partnerships and Expertise
The project’s design ensures strong partnerships and alignment with ongoing local initiatives. Key partners include:
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Seadream Environment: Providing expertise in underwater surveys, mapping, monitoring, and evaluation of estuarine biodiversity.
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Plymouth Marine Laboratory AgZero+ programme will assist in decision-making regarding land management using E-Planner and SDNL Nature Recovery Opportunity Map in collaboration with the stakeholders' trusted advisors (other environmental organisations working in the catchment).
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Collaboration and Peer Learning
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The small number of farms within the target catchments allows for effective communication and deeper engagement. Some farms already demonstrate exemplary environmental practices, enabling peer-to-peer learning, especially in the adoption of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
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Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
The project will prioritise interventions aimed at; Reducing river flow rates, Increasing soil infiltration through improved soil organic matter and creating species-rich meadows and natural flood management systems (e.g., leaky dams, silt traps, peatland restoration)
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Monitoring and Citizen Science
Citizen Science Investigations (CSI) will monitor, record, and evaluate progress on biodiversity and water quality targets. The project will; extend CSI efforts in collaboration with organisations such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT), iNaturalist, and Force4Nature and provide further opportunities for public engagement through volunteering.
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Project Overview
This planning project aims to restore most water bodies within the Avon Gara, Slapton Ley, and Kingsbridge Salcombe Estuary catchments to Good Ecological Status by 2030. It is a collaborative effort involving:
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Scientists
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Farmers
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Landowners
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Residents
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Environmental organisations
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Catchment community groups
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Local government
Current Status and Challanges
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Water Quality: Currently, 38% of water bodies in the area meet Good Ecological Status.
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Pollution Sources: The main pollutants are sewage, farming practices, and household water use.
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Small Investments: Modest investments by SWW (Southwest Water) could restore the hydraulic capacity of treatment works serving small rural communities, improving water quality in areas such as Slapton Ley SSSI.
Project Goals
A primary objective is to raise awareness about collective responsibility for catchment-sensitive behaviour. The project seeks to:
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Maximise the number of catchment-sensitive households, businesses, local government bodies, and farmers.
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Foster collaboration through inter-parish water quality groups.
· Devise a Delivery Plan to restore most water bodies in the operational catchments to Good Ecological status by 2030.
Opportunities for Restoration
Opportunities for Restoration
The project will assess:
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Opportunities to create intermediary reservoirs, reedbeds, and new wetlands on less productive agricultural land.
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Collaborating with authorised environmental contractors and the Environment Agency to evaluate the ecological benefits and engineering feasibility of these interventions.