Water Quality Research and Catchment Planning in the River Wye.

This opportunity is an Open Procedure advertised by Defra group Commercial on behalf of Defra. The Wye catchment covers two nations, and five counties, and contains a complex mix of land use, including agriculture, urban areas, and a wealth of protected sites.

With this varied geography comes a complex stakeholder landscape, combining a range of values and interests. This also brings a range of pressures on the water environment of the catchment.

Defra and the Welsh Government are seeking to deliver a research project to investigate sources of pollution and pressures affecting the Wye and develop and test ways to improve land management for water quality using a ‘living-labs’ approach to test solutions with local stakeholders. Additionally, the project will identify best practice approaches to undertaking research involving complex stakeholder groups.

The aims of the research programme are to build on existing evidence and work alongside stakeholders to: • Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river, in particular focussing on agricultural pollution • Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management in the catchment • Develop and test new ways to improve land management to improve water quality, which are suitable for the Wye catchment and will also be transferable to other catchments, using a ‘living-labs’ approach to test solutions • Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow – the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species • Understand best practice for undertaking research involving a complex stakeholder group. This strategy aligns with other foundational initiatives such as the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Land Use Framework. For further information please visit Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK