The regions that grow some of our favourite fruits are unfortunately also some of the driest, and in a changing climate, farmers are having to rely more than ever on irrigating water from shared reservoirs. During increasingly dry summers, these water supplies are running dangerously low, forcing farmers to rely on using water from the mains supply to irrigate crops.
Supported by the Water Roadmap’s Collective Action Project (CAP) in Medway and in collaboration with the South East Rivers Trust (SERT), Mockbeggar Farm in the UK South East’s Hoo Peninsula designed and secured funding for a phased programme that’s improving resilience against climate change driven weather extremes, reducing reliance on mains water and reservoirs, and protecting the long-term supply of soft and stone fruits grown on their family farm.
Problem
Solution
Impact
Working with WRAP through the Collective Action Project has been instrumental in helping Mockbeggar Farm take decisive steps toward longterm water resilience. The support has enabled the codesign of practical rainwater harvesting and storage solutions that reduce business risk, protect the catchment, and strengthen the future of fruit production on the Hoo Peninsula.
This partnership demonstrates the power of collective action — when growers, technical experts, other key water sector players and supply chain partners collaborate to deliver meaningful change. With continued support, even more farms could benefit from similar solutions.
Samantha Hughes, South East Rivers Trust
Problem
Mockbeggar Farm, run by the Myatt family for three generations, grows stone fruit and soft fruit under extensive polytunnel systems in one of the driest parts of the UK, with increasingly dry summers and more intense winter rainfall becoming the norm.
In recent droughts, the shared irrigation reservoir has fallen dangerously low at peak growing season, forcing the farm to rely on treated mains water at a cost of up to £30,000 a year. At the same time, heavy winter rainfall generates surface runoff from neighbouring polytunnels and surrounding slopes, leading to soil erosion, operational disruption and downstream impacts.
With climate change amplifying both drought and flash flooding, the risks are environmental and commercial – for both farmers and food businesses. Securing reliable, sustainable water supplies was essential for Mockbeggar Farm to protect their crop productivity, control rising costs and maintain their fruit supply.
Solution
Supported by funding in the Collective Action Project and in close collaboration with SERT, Mockbeggar Farm designed a phased programme to capture, store and reuse more water on site.
- Phase 1 saw the installation of a pump-and-filter system in an existing winter fill pond, which now transfers excess water into adjacent storage tanks and back to the shared reservoir.
- Phase 2, supported and funded by Southern Water, focused on capturing rainfall runoff from polytunnels. The new infrastructure now pumps the excess water back into the farm’s winter fill pond and water storage network.
- Phase 3, funded through WRAP, will reinstate existing concrete-ring water storage and add upgraded pumps and controls in a focused area of the farm.
The collective action between Mockbeggar Farm, WRAP, SERT, Southern Water and other partners including New Leaf Irrigation and the Growing Green decarbonisation initiative has been essential to designing and implementing practical solutions, improving water resilience and protecting crop supply on the farm.
Impact
Economic
Strengthening water self-sufficiency has made Mockbeggar Farm a more resilient and lower-risk supplier within the fresh fruit supply chain. Reducing reliance on up to £30,000 per year of treated mains water has improved their operational efficiency and protected margins, while lowering exposure to drought-related disruption.
For supply chain partners and funders, this investment safeguards continuity of supply from a critical fruit-growing region. It supports ESG and climate commitments through improved resource efficiency, reduced energy use associated with mains water pumping and enhanced environmental stewardship, demonstrating how collaborative action can protect both nature and commercial performance.
Environmental
The combined rainwater harvesting and runoff capture measures are significantly reducing reliance on treated mains water and easing pressure on natural water sources during peak season.
Improved water retention and maintaining pond levels are helping minimise soil erosion and nutrient loss during heavy rainfall, supporting healthier downstream ecosystems. Reinstated storage features and enhanced wet areas are also providing habitat for aquatic insects, plants and wildlife, strengthening biodiversity across the catchment.
Social
Reliable on-farm water supplies has meant less exposure to escalating costs and seasonal disruption, reducing stress and uncertainty for the Myatt family and their workforce.
Mockbeggar Farm also plays an active role in the local community, hosting school visits and supporting groups such as the Medway Beekeepers Association, who use on-site facilities to contribute to pollination and wider ecosystem services. Reduced runoff has improved site safety and accessibility and enhanced the experience for visitors.
Additionally, now acting as a demonstration site, Mockbeggar Farm is helping other growers see what practical water resilience looks like on the ground. As the Myatt family puts it, improved water self-sufficiency gives them “confidence to keep investing in fruit production despite unpredictable seasons.”