Second presentation by Dr David Smith to Agricultural Law Association Meeting, Exeter, 26 February 2013

1. ALA South West Regional
Meeting 26th February 2013
The value of clean sustainable
water supplies from upland
catchments to South West Water
Dr David Smith, Exmoor Mires Project Manager

2. Future Challenges for the continued
supply of drinking water from the
moorlands of Devon, Somerset and
Cornwall

3. Climate change effects

4. Peat and sediment from moorland erosion

5. Drought and wildfire risks

6. Pump storage of Reservoirs

7. Upstream Thinking solution
Valuing clean water provision

8. Investment in Ecosystem Services
• Upstream Thinking is investment in the
Regulating Services – carbon storage, water,
flood and drought protection, biodiversity
• Approx £10m invested in the 2010-15 period
• £3m of this is in upland peatland restoration
• More investment planned for 2015-20
• Commitment to revenue payments to the provider
post 2015 (backdated for early adopters)

9. Cost to customers? 60p on bills by 2015

10. South West Water is working with…
• Farmers and land owners, Natural England,
Environment Agency, English Heritage, Drinking
Water Inspectorate, Ofwat, South West Lakes Trust
• SW Uplands Taskforce, the NFU and the CLA
• Westcountry Rivers Trust; CSF and HLS
• 9 Universities and education providers
• Devon Wildlife Trust & Cornwall Wildlife Trust
• Exmoor & Dartmoor National Park Authorities,
Counties and Unitaries
• Biodiversity South West and Nature Map

11. PES: clean and constant moorland water

12. PES: carbon capture and storage

13. PES: Grazing support – food and habitat