"We are working to ensure our rivers, wetlands and water resources are resilient to the changing climate and population growth, are richer in biodiversity, support a thriving economy and contribute to the wellbeing of the citizens of Suffolk".
THE EAST SUFFOLK CATCHMENT PLAN
The core of the East Suffolk Catchment Plan is a series of maps which describe our catchments in terms of the ‘ecosystem services’ they provide us, such as; flood attenuation, water purification and green spaces.
View the maps in the ESCP Environmental Services Evidence Review (PDF).
The maps also show where pressures are acting on these ecosystems and identify ‘opportunity areas’ where improvement projects are likely to be most beneficial. The plan goes on to summarise the catchment improvement measures (Projects) that we aim to implement in East Suffolk over the coming years to maximise ecosystem service benefits and to help meet our Water Framework Directive obligations.
Ecosystem Services Opportunity Maps
The ecosystem services opportunity maps forming the core of our Catchment Plan were developed by partnership members working alongside technical specialists using all available data relating to ecosystem services in the catchments. The ecosystem services that we considered - and the method for identifying opportunity areas where improvement projects would be most effective - is summarised below:
CATCHMEMT PARTNERSHIP VISION
We are working to ensure our rivers, wetlands and water resources are resilient to the changing climate and population growth, are richer in biodiversity, support a thriving economy and contribute to the wellbeing of the citizens of Suffolk. Over the next ten years, we will work as a partnership to ensure:
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rivers and wetlands will have been restored at priority sites
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water resources can meet human and business demands without compromising the needs of wildlife and habitats in a changing climate
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the challenges and impacts of climate change and population growth are being addressed through innovative adaptation and mitigation initiatives
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everyone in East Suffolk is more conscious of the pressures on the water environment in the changing climate and are actively engaged in co-operative efforts to reduce demand, reduce pollution, improve water quality and increase biodiversity.
CATCHMENT CHALLENGES
The current challenges identified by the partnership include:
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Pollution from agriculture and rural areas - East Suffolk's free draining soil is farmed for cereals, vegetables and pigs which can cause sedimentation and pollution.
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Pollution from waste water - Despite improvements, wastewater from rural septic tanks and public sewer outflows still pollutes our rivers.
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Changes to the natural flow and water levels - Evidence has shown a predicted water deficit for the region which will impact the local environment.
The partnership predicts that these challenges will continue to impact the catchment in the future. Find out more about the wider water environment challenges identified by partnership as well as the emerging and future challenges identified by the Environment Agency.