In the seven action labs local coalitions between relevant actors (farmers, communities, NGOs, private and public water producers, researchers, ministries and agencies) were set-up. All available data on water quality from different parties (water companies, authorities, ..) was collected resulting in seven harmonized datasets. The water quality information was combined with relevant catchment info in order to build a conceptual model for the different cases. Together with the different actors, the needs and strategies for further monitoring were defined. Information on available Best Management Practices was compiled and local farming practices and willingness to adopt new measures were investigated. This knowledge building is done in close collaboration with local actors and multiple meetings, trainings and discussion groups were organized to share information and exchange views.
In a next step, starting from the local context a process was initiated to stimulate uptake of Best Management Practices and improve the water quality. Different types of incentives were experimented with ranging from raising awareness by targeted communication and webtools over the investigation of alternative financing mechanisms and trainings and demonstrations of measures. In all of the action labs the process resulted in an increased awareness of the water quality issues and an increased interest in good practices. In some cases an increased uptake of measures or the set-up of alternative financing mechanism were achieved. The project also paved the way for continuation towards a good drinking water source protection in all 7 action labs in the coming years: by e.g. setting up a water reuse plan, the further use of pesticide monitoring tools, initiating collaboration between neighboring waterworks, promotion of successful work in the action lab in other areas of the member state, fertile ground to setup a new project at the same location that continues the project work.
From the process in the different action labs, a governance guide was made with all the steps from water governance assessment to assessment of achievements and recommendations for researchers and policy makers were formulated. Guidelines on setting up participatory monitoring approaches were made. The interactions with farmers and action lab leaders led to an analysis of the main barriers inhibiting successful implementation of Best Management Practices and a set of recommendations to overcome these. Results from the action labs and from other existing cases in Europe are used to set out a roadmap for upscaling lessons learnt to the EU and support EU policy related to water quality and agriculture.
WaterProtect reached out to EU-level stakeholders on water management and agriculture and created the WaterProtect community, a first step towards the development of a living lab for innovation with respect to water and agriculture.
