Over the past five years, the company has offered abstractors schemes such as water efficiency audits, advice packages, involvement in crop trials, and leakage reduction incentives.

The company's environment team achieved a 100 per cent engagement rate with abstractors within the River Cuckmere pilot catchment in Sussex and a 28 per cent engagement with licence holders in the Little Stour Catchment in Kent. Combined, this represents a total engagement of 38 per cent across both trial areas, significantly outperforming its Ofwat target of 20 per cent. 

The drinking water company, which supplies 543 million litres of water daily to 2.3 million customers, has been working closely with farmers and landowners who also abstract water from the environment.Through this collaboration, South East Water used its specialist knowledge to encourage greater water efficiency for both personal and environmental benefit.

This marks the third target the environment team has surpassed in the last five-year business period.

Emma Goddard, South East Water's Head of Environment, said: "I'm incredibly proud of the work our environment team has done over the last business period and continues to do.

"We are collaborating directly with farmers and landowners to enhance water quality, creating a beneficial outcome for all involved while leaving enough water for the environment to thrive.

"These measures are crucial for protecting essential water sources and supporting the future of farming in the region."

For more information on South East Water's catchment management schemes, please visit: southeastwater.co.uk/catchmentmanagement