Cooperative agreements between water supply companies and farmers in dorset (E)

Abstract

This case study, located in the English County of Dorset, is a classic example of a water company (Wessex Water in England) facing increasing nitrate groundwater contamination. The pollution is mainly the result of farming activities. Potential “cheap” solutions such as blending the water from different sources are increasingly difficult to undertake due to the extent and increase in contamination. As a result the water company has two options: the treatment option or a catchment management approach. In this case to avoid the high operational and maintenance and construction costs of the treatment option Wessex Water has approached the farmers in order to cooperate to improve the water quality by promoting better practices. The cooperation started in 2005 involves information and education support but also phased incentive payments. This chapter illustrates the effectiveness and the continuity of such cooperation and the findings are expected to be of great interest to highlight the pro and con of a cooperative agreement as experienced in England to improve the water quality.