Securing the flow: Water resilience in modern farming

Water has traditionally been viewed as a constant for many farmers – a utility that is simply there. However, with the increasing frequency of extreme weather patterns, resulting in prolonged droughts and flash flooding, water security is no longer a given.

© Strutt & Parker

“A wide range of experts have been warning for some time there could be a critical water shortage in the UK in the next 25 years,” says Strutt & Parker’s Head of Farming, Natalie Gaibani. 

“This summer has really brought that message home, with farmers from all sectors feeling the effects of the prolonged period of dry weather.”

For farmers, there needs to be a fundamental shift in how they view their water resources. “UK farmers are clearly facing a growing challenge in making sure they have enough water available. As a sector, we need to be increasingly talking about investment in new water infrastructure, creating systems that reduce the volume of water required and adopting management practices that protect land, crops and livestock from the extremes of the weather.”

Diversifying the source

Building resilience starts with diversifying where water comes from, with the aim of reducing cost and the risk of supply interruptions.

“We are helping clients look at the full spectrum of available resources,” says Natalie. “This ranges from the installation of large-scale rainwater harvesting systems to capture winter surpluses, to the strategic drilling of boreholes and the restoration of natural springs.”

However, sourcing water is only half the battle as managing it is where many businesses lose money. Undetected leaks in aging infrastructure can lead to significant financial waste and potential environmental hazards. A comprehensive audit of mains water management – identifying leaks and optimising distribution – can be a quick way to improve a farm’s bottom line.

© Strutt & Parker

The soil-water connection

While infrastructure is vital, the most effective water management system on a farm is the soil itself.

“The more organic matter and structure a soil has, the better it acts as a sponge,” says Natalie. “Healthy soils infiltrate water more effectively during heavy rainfall, reducing runoff and erosion, while retaining that moisture longer during dry spells. By focusing on regenerative practices, farmers are essentially building a natural reservoir beneath their feet.”

Grants and investment advice

Strutt & Parker supports farmers to secure the necessary permissions for new water infrastructure and to identify potential funding streams.

A Water Management Grant scheme is expected to open in the autumn – with up to £15m available to help farmers build on-farm reservoirs.

In response to complaints that the planning system is a block on farmers investing in reservoirs, the Government has also signalled in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that local authorities should support their development.

We have also secured grants through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) to help farmer invest in rainwater harvesting and more efficient irrigation systems. The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) supports actions to improve soil health, while the Capital Grants scheme includes options to help address water quality issues. There can also be grants from water companies and other localised schemes.

Whether it is securing permissions for new boreholes or leveraging grants for environmental improvements, the goal is to move from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy.

“Water management is a complex puzzle involving hydrology, regulation, and agronomy,” says Natalie. “But by viewing water as a finite resource to be managed rather than a utility to be consumed, farmers can future-proof their business.”