When you think about protecting the environment, you might picture rivers, forests, or wildlife. But there’s something just as important beneath it all, the soil.
At Affinity Water, we don’t just focus on pipes and treatment. We’re working with farmers and land managers to protect the places where water begins its journey, in fields, grasslands, and wetlands. That’s why we took part in this year’s Groundswell Festival, where we talked about the powerful connection between soil and water.
What does soil have to do with water?
It’s simple: Water quality is shaped by the land it moves through.
Before rain becomes part of a stream or aquifer, it falls on the land. If the soil is healthy, it acts like a sponge, soaking up water, filtering out any contaminants, and holding onto nutrients. But if the soil is not functioning and compacted, that water runs off quickly. It takes with it soil particles, fertilisers, and chemicals, which end up in rivers.
At Groundswell, we used a rainfall simulator to show how this works. Healthy soil absorbed the rain. Poor soil let it rush away, full of runoff and pollution.
The message was clear: better soil means cleaner rivers.
Working with farmers to protect our rivers
Farmers manage a huge part of our landscape. If farmers manage their soils in a regenerative way, they can make a real difference to water quality.
At the event, we spoke to farmers who are:
- Growing cover crops to keep nutrients in the soil.
- Using less nitrogen fertiliser, saving money and reducing pollution.
- Testing their soil to improve long-term health and crop yields
These changes aren’t just good for farms, they help nature and protect local water sources.
What Affinity Water is doing
We support farmers through our Catchment and River Restoration programmes, which includes:
- Soil testing and advice on land improvements.
- Grants to trial new, nature-friendly farming methods.
- Funding for projects that slow down runoff and protect rivers.
- Restoration of chalk streams, rare and precious rivers that exist mostly in our region.
As our Catchment Manager Danny Coffey put it:
“Regenerative farmers are not just feeding the nation, they are creating healthy soils which filter water, allow it to infiltrate into groundwater and improving nature for future generations.”
Smarter fertiliser use helps everyone
Fertilisers like nitrogen help crops grow. But when too much is used, and the crop cannot take it ip, it can runoff into rivers and be lost to groundwater.
One big topic at Groundswell was how cover crops can reduce nitrogen loss. When managed well, they help farmers:
- Hold nutrients in the soil.
- Improve soil structure.
- Save money on fertiliser.
- Reduce water pollution.
This means cleaner rivers, healthier land, and fewer costs for everyone, including you, the customer.
Why soil health affects us all
It’s easy to take soil for granted. But biologically active, carbon rich soils are can natural treat water, counter climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Good soil:
- Absorbs water during heavy rain.
- Stores carbon and supports plant life.
- Keeps rivers and streams clean.
- Helps grow healthy food.
In short, when we take care of the soil, we’re taking care of everything it supports, from farms to nature to communities.
Looking ahead
Groundswell was full of hope and practical ideas. We saw farmers leading the way in soil care and nature-friendly farming.
At Affinity Water, we’ll keep working side by side with regenerative farmers, funding new trials, restoring rivers, and learning from the land.
Because to protect water, we need to protect everything it touches. And that starts in the soil.