Headstart: a new approach to cleaning up Britain’s river systems
21st May 2025
Leading figures from the water industry, environmental sector and freshwater science community will meet in Westminster on Thursday 22nd May to discuss a new strategy for cleaning up Britain’s water systems – by starting at the top.
Organised by Freshwater Habitats Trust, the Headstart conference will focus on protecting and restoring headwater catchments to kickstart nature recovery. Located upstream, at the source of a river, headwater catchments include small streams, wetlands and ponds that feed into the river system.
Freshwater Habitats Trust says that targeting these small catchments at the source of our river system would help to address urgent challenges facing our rivers.
In its report Headstart: Using headwater catchments to kickstart nature recovery, the charity puts forward a case for mitigating wastewater and agricultural pressures on headwater catchments, restoring headwater streams and wetlands, and creating clean water ponds. This includes upgrading small wastewater treatment works to reduce the impact of sewage on headwater catchments.
- Stream in Dartmoor National Park, Devon
The conference will feature presentations from speakers including Pete Brotherton – Director of Science at Natural England, Stewart Clarke – National Specialist – Freshwater, Catchments & Estuaries at the National Trust, and Carly Leonard – Head of Environmental Strategy at Anglian Water.
Professor Jeremy Biggs, CEO of Freshwater Habitats Trust said: “When we talk about cleaning up our water system, people usually think of pollution in big rivers. But our evidence shows that cleaning up small catchments at the top of the river network could transform the water environment.
“Although they are individually small, headwater streams make up more than 70% of Britain’s river network, and their catchments cover more than half of England and Wales. Because they are small, headwater catchments face fewer pollution sources and are easier to manage. Crucially, these catchments respond quickly to restoration. This means we can achieve results within years rather than decades.”
The report also highlights the rich biodiversity of headwater catchments, which support unique species and provide vital spawning habitat for migratory salmon and trout. Freshwater Habitats Trust developed Headstart after carrying out an evidence review commissioned by Anglian Water and the CaSTCo programme. The review highlighted the lack of investment in headwaters, and the need for more recognition of the importance of small waters in legislation protecting the water environment.
Freshwater Habitats Trust will now collaborate with the water sector and other partners to identify catchments for the Headstart project.
Headstart is one of the approaches the charity will use to build the Freshwater Network, using small waters to regenerate freshwater landscapes.
Read the Headstart report
- Lesser Diving Beetle - © Neil Phillips