Project Outputs
Willingness To Accept Study Summaries
Visual summaries have been created to provide a snapshot into the results. There are summaries that focus on questions most relevant to the interests of the different Water Net Gain Stakeholders and there are summaries for each of the local Rivers Trust areas that took part in the study.
Summary for the Farming community
Summary for Rivers Trusts
Summary for Water Companies
Summary for Westcountry Rivers Trust
Summary for Mersey Rivers Trust
Summary for Trent Rivers Trust
Summary for Essex & Suffolk Rivers Trust
Willingness To Accept Study Report
This Water Net Gain (WNG) farmer survey was conducted between September 2025 and January 2026 to understand farms’ water resilience challenges and opportunities, and to assess farmers’ attitudes toward participating in a Water Net Gain scheme.
WNG Pond Design Report
Practical guidance for creating ponds that enhance water resilience on farmland
This report, produced by the Water Net Gain project, provides comprehensive guidance on integrating ponds into farmland for water resource management. Designed as a visual, accessible resource, it covers:
• Planning and site selection
• Design principles
• Construction methods
• Biodiversity enhancement
• Maintenance and management
• Links to further resources and case studies
Water Net Gain FAQs
Additional Information & Resources
You will find further information and resources on this page, which may be useful in relation to the project.
Project stakeholder updates
Similar projects
Please click on the links below to access the additional resources.
Wyre Catchment NfM Project
The Wyre Catchment Natural Flood Management Project (greenfinanceinstitute.com)
Norfolk Water Strategy Programme
Norfolk Water Strategy Programme – Water Resources East (wre.org.uk)
“Ghost ponds” – How to resurrect in-filled farmland ponds to assist aquatic biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/831859v1.full
https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/media/trade-releases/2023/2023-06-22
Guidance on good practice in the management and creation of small waterbodies in Scotland (2000)
https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/151336/ponds_pools_lochans.pdf
Glasgow’s Smart Canal – A pioneering new digital surface water drainage system
Ponderful EU
Useful Reports
Please click on the links below to access the additional resources.
BSI Flex 701
BSI Flex 701 Nature Markets – Overarching Principles and Framework | BSI (bsigroup.com)
Nature markets: A framework for scaling up private investment in nature recovery and sustainable farming
Nature markets: (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Investment Readiness Toolkit
Investment Readiness Toolkit (greenfinanceinstitute.com)
NECR490 Agricultural Ponds Review TEP Report (NECR490)
https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6117029934006272
Water Resource Benefits of Working With Natural Processes – EA
The Water Net Gain project is one of 16 solutions being awarded a share of £40 million via Ofwat’s Innovation Fund Water Breakthrough Challenge 3.
