London Wildlife Trust has launched The Lost Effra Project; a new initiative led by LWT and funded by Defra and the Carnegie UK Trust. This project aims to produce a water management strategy on how to transform a London district using water management initiatives as the basis for collaboration and sustained consumer behavioural change. LWT will work with local community groups as well as key organisations - including the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, Greater London Authority, Thames Water, Environment Agency and Natural England. The project area covers Herne Hill, Loughborough Junction and Dulwich; all within the Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. This area suffers from a range of climate change issues, including 5,000 residential, 920 non-residential properties and 11 schools that are at risk of flooding. Flash floods, in 2004, resulted in floodwater and sewage entering residents’ homes causing damage and distress. Ironically, the community is also within an area of serious water stress and is the third-driest borough in London. It is also close to the centre of one of London’s Urban Heat Island focal points, and therefore faces a higher level of risk of overheating in the summer compared to neighbouring areas. The Effra is an historic tributary of the Thames, now underground, which has a rich history and interesting route through South London. Some of the flooding issues are attributed to the historic flow paths of the Effra. The overall outcome will be a Water Management Strategy for the area detailing objectives, activities, timescales, budgets and roles. A ‘How To’ document will also be produced for local level distribution, to encourage and facilitate local community groups to carry out their own water management projects, whilst at the same time helping the environment and enhancing biodiversity.

Project Results

Targeted awareness-raising about the need to conserve water Promoting the 'lost' River Effra, to raise awareness of run-off and flood risk Training of volunteer 'Community Champions' to encourage action Developing a support network to help vulnerable residents Community involvement in the design of technical solutions Support for community projects such as water-saving and local food growing Facilitating job creation/social enterprise on the back of green infrastructure.