Development of a water-use strategy for horticulture in England and Wales - a case study

We describe the development of a water strategy for horticulture in England and Wales. Data were gathered from a literature review as well as from industry and grower surveys, and combined with information from interviews with key informants, in order to assess current practices and underlying trends in water-use within seven horticultural sectors. The spatial distribution of horticultural holdings relative to water availability and stress were mapped for both direct abstraction and mains water supplies. From this, a strategy was developed to define the key priorities at grower and industry levels, and the actions required, including research, communication, and knowledge transfer, to improve water use efficiency and to reduce environmental water impacts. The key priorities identified included: improving our knowledge of the impacts of irrigation on diffuse pollution, including leaching of nitrate, phosphate, and pesticides; the need to improve grower understanding of water regulation; and quantifying the links between poor uniformity of irrigation, crop production, and profitability.