United Utilities and RSPB have a long-standing relationship dating back before the company was privatised. Our relationship stems from a shared interest in conservation and biodiversity.
Rivers and coastline are better able to support biodiversity, from insects to fish to higher species like birds, if they are free from pollution, and hence RSPB takes an active interest in water quality issues. As the north west's water company, we have invested heavily to reduce pollution from the region's sewage, improving water treatment and disposal. This investment is paying off, with higher river and coastal water quality and the return of once common species.
We have also worked closely with the RSPB on conservation schemes on our catchment estates. For example, on our Haweswater estate, the RSPB has a reserve agreement at Naddle Forest SSSI and a wardening agreement for the wider estate covering advisory and monitoring work. In Bowland, RSPB and United Utilities have collaborated over hen harrier protection work since 1982. Three of the Society's staff operate from the Bowland Estate Office at Stocks Reservoir working on the Birds of Bowland Project. And in our Central Catchment (Rivington and the West Pennine Moors) United Utilities and RSPB collaborate on a project supporting England's most significant twite population.
Finally, in addition to broad advisory work across United Utilities farms, the RSPB has played a specific development role in our High Hullockhowe farm project on the Haweswater estate. The project is to demonstrate sustainable approaches to farming, and includes active support for conservation work.
We aim to build on this work over the next five years, extending sustainable catchment practices to more of our estates.