EWSC Project Reports

This report collates the findings from Phase Two of the Community-Led Stewardship work-stream of the Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) project.

This phase tested the Water Stewardship Blueprint – a framework designed in Phase One to support the integration of long-term water management into new housing development - with two Community Land Trusts (CLTs) at different development stages.

The research finds that effective water stewardship faces structural and coordination-based challenges rather than technical ones. While early-stage ambitions for integrated water management are often high, they can be diluted as projects move through planning, delivery, and handover. This is due to fragmented governance, unclear ownership and short-term financial pressures.

We’ve also worked with Anthony Collins Solicitors to produce a series of policy notes that support the main report.