£1m Wye Water fund and launch of CLA Cymru Waterwise Wales Conference
Water quality is a hot topic across both sides of the border and with a new £1m initiative being launched today, CLA Cymru is hosting the biggest dedicated Water Conference in Wales.
Joint Government Wye Cross Border £1m Fund
Today, the UK and Welsh Governments announced a £1 million initiative to tackle pollution in the River Wye, recognising the urgent need for collaborative action to protect and restore Wales' waterways. While this funding is a very positive step, particularly as a cross border initiative; it also highlights a much bigger issue, that water challenges across Wales are not confined to a single river.
The launch with Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Defra Minister Emma Hardy (Water and Flooding Parliamentary Under Secretary of State) are part of Labours "Things can only get cleaner" campaign.
The event in Monmouth was attended by CLA Policy Advisor Sarah James who is our Waterwise lead at CLA Cymru. We at CLA Cymru recognise that this is a much bigger issue that one river, which is why we are launching the Waterwise Conference. With our Director Victoria Bond outlining why:
Water is fundamental to the Welsh economy and environment. Beyond pollution, Wales faces flooding, drought risks, soil degradation, and complex regulatory pressures on the rural sector and in particular farming. These issues demand a comprehensive, long-term approach not just localised interventions. Which at its heart is about ensuring nourishment of our rural landscapes and economy. The Waterwise Wales conference aims to holistically meet the problems with solutions.
Waterwise Wales Conference 2025 - 8th May
The need for a multi faceted problem solving approach is at the heart of the Waterwise Wales Conference 2025 on 8 May. The event is set to be Wales’ largest and most significant gathering on water management, bringing together farmers, businesses, policymakers, and environmental leaders to address Wales' critical water management challenges.
The event will explore solutions for improving water quality, tackling soil erosion, promoting sustainable land and water use, and aligning farming practices with regulatory and environmental objectives. Unlike single-issue projects, the conference will take a holistic approach to water security, across all waterways and tables.
Conference Objectives
- Assessing Welsh Progress – Evaluating data gaps, monitoring frameworks, and regulatory effectiveness
- Best Practice in Sustainable Water Management – Showcasing practical solutions and real-world farm case studies
- Collaborative Action – Bridging the gap between regulators, farmers, environmental bodies, and commercial stakeholders
- Regulatory and Financial Barriers – Identifying challenges and opportunities for government and private-sector investment
What Have We Done So Far?
- Engaging Farmers and Landowners
Waterwise has already worked with Welsh farmers, estates, and land managers to identify challenges and best practices in water management. Through regional discussions, case studies, and pilot projects, we are building a knowledge base of practical solutions that balance environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Key projects include:
• Usk River Catchment Case Study: Examining erosion issues and practical farm-level interventions.
• Brecon Beacons Water Group: Working with farmers to prevent soil loss and improve water retention.
• Collaboration with Farming Unions (NFU Cymru, FUW): Aligning agricultural water management with evolving Welsh policies. - Cross-Sector Collaboration
Waterwise has brought together regulators, scientists, industry leaders, and environmental groups to ensure a cohesive, science-driven approach to water policy. This includes:
• Working with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to assess current compliance and regulation effectiveness.
• Partnering with research institutions like Lancaster University on data modelling and monitoring tools (e.g.Rephocus/Harmonica project).
• Engaging with the private sector (M&S, Welsh Water, Severn Trent Water, Puffin Produce) to explore funding for water improvement initiatives, alongside their current trials and case studies. - Policy Development and Advocacy
Waterwise is shaping policy by:
• Contributing to discussions on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and its implications for water use.
• Advocating for evidence-based regulation that supports both environmental and economic sustainability.
• Promoting voluntary, incentive-led approaches over punitive enforcement.
The Waterwise Conference is not just about identifying problems, but exploring solutions. By bringing together key stakeholders across industries, it aims to help shape cohesive, practical strategies for managing Wales' water resources and tackling on farm issues, in the years ahead.
With policy change, investment opportunities, and the future of farming at stake, this is a must-attend event for anyone invested in Wales’ rural economy and environmental sustainability.
For further details please see our event here. You can also contact our Policy Lead Sarah James.
