To deliver positive and sustained outcomes for the water environment by promoting a better understanding of the environment at a local level; and

To encourage local collaboration and more transparent decision-making when both planning and delivering activities to improve the water environment.

We will adopt this approach to promote a platform for engagement, discussion and decisions of much wider benefits; including tackling diffuse agricultural and urban pollution, and widespread, historical alterations to the natural form of channels.

Community events will be held to enable engagement and delivery with communities across the catchment.

At approximately 750 sq.km, the East Devon catchment drains the rivers Exe, Otter, Sid, Axe and Lim.

Only 7% of the catchment is developed, compared to the national average of 16%. East Devon is predominantly agricultural, with lowland cattle and sheep farms constituting 38% of the farming practice. The population of the catchment includes the main urban areas of Exeter, Crediton, Tiverton and Cullompton. Exeter, the county town of Devon, has a population of 119,600.

The catchment contains one National Park and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) covering 66% of the catchment.

East Devon’s varied landscape provides ecologically important habitat, with:

• 4 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
• 1 Special Protected Area (SPA)
• 1 National Nature Reserve (NNR) and
• 29 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

There are 103 river water bodies in the catchment as well as 4 lakes, 4 estuaries, 10 groundwater bodies and coastal waters to the south.

There are areas in the catchment where the benefits of the water environment is recognised and are designated as protected areas. These areas can be designated as protected for several reasons, whether they are important habitats, bathing waters or areas around drinking sources.