The Holistic Water for Horticulture [HWH] project works with fresh produce growers on water stewardship.  It balances the needs of commerce and food security with nature and healthier sourcing catchments.

Globally, about 70% of water is used by agriculture and horticulture. These sectors are the second highest users of water, behind public water supply in the South East, a region classified as water scarce as well as densely populated.  On top of this, climate change means drier, hotter summers, wetter, milder winters and heavier, more frequent extreme rainfall events. Water resource scenarios indicate the demand will outstrip supply in the South East if nothing changes before 2050.

 It is vital that water is managed sustainably and that food and drink businesses, as well as other stakeholders in this water scarce region work together to balance water demand with environmental needs and catchment health. Water is essential for home-grown fresh produce, domestic food security and ecosystem health. Horticulture is one of the largest sectors in the South East of England, where growers, especially those who produce crops under glass or polythene, depend on sufficient water for precision irrigation over the growing season

HWH is a Courtauld 2030 Water Roadmap Project which works with growers and farmers to scope and help deliver measures for sustainable water management by 2030.   HWH does this by:

• promoting measures that improve water self-sufficiency and take pressure off mains water supply – through innovation and alternative approaches such as rainwater harvesting, water trading and on-farm storage.
• promoting the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – to slow flow and release excess water back into the environment, providing multiple benefits for the grower, other water users and nature including improved water and soil quality and enhanced biodiversity.
• supporting a collective approach to water – working together gives the food growing sector greater strength to enhance water resources resilience across the wider landscape, to get involved with complementary initiatives, draw in additional funding and investment and to help shape a political agenda that better supports growers.Our holistic approach benefits the fresh food and drink supply chain by working with businesses, communities and the wider environment.