Reducing surface water pollution through the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of BMPs at different spatial scales

► We tested with SWAT several agricultural BMPs in reducing surface water pollution. ► A simple economic component was developed for their cost evaluation. ► The cost-effectiveness of BMPs was calculated at the local and the catchment scale. ► The most suitable areas for BMPs implementation were identified. ► The methodology assists in a cost-effective land use planning on catchment scale.