Project Name
Water Quality
Lead Organisation
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) SouthWest
Contact details
Name
Outline Project Description Please describe the activity that
you plan to undertake.
Roland Stonex
Email
roland.stonex@fwagsw.org.uk
Phone number
07966 200695
To provide farmers and land managers with cheap and
simple water quality test kits that will allow them to test the
quality of the surface water on their holding and will lead to a
change of behaviour with regard to the use of potential
sources of pollution. They will be provided with training on
how to do this to requisite standards. The data they gain will
help them to see whether they are polluting and if so to be
able to take action to stop this. The information will belong to
the farmer/ landowner and because of this they will be able
to take ownership of any pollution problems.
Background
There are a large number of regulations that are directed
towards the agricultural sector in order to manage the impact
of pollutants entering water bodies and therefore causing
environmental issues. The regulations include, inter alia, the
Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Nitrates
Directive. Pollution from agriculture is regarded as a “diffuse”
pollution because it is often difficult to ascertain the pathway
or “point source” of a pollutant. By enabling farmers to take
their own water quality samples the EA will be able to get a
better resolution of data and therefore regulate more
effectively.
In addition, those that are polluting are often unaware of the
problem because they are not given evidence that links the
pollution to them. Becoming aware of pollutants entering
water bodies might help to change behaviours and therefore
reduce any sources of pollution. The key will be allowing
those that polluting to take ownership of the problem.
Benefits of this approach
There will be a number of benefits from using this approach.
Firstly, those that are not polluting will be able to use this as
a tool to help ensure they do not get caught by additional
“blanket” action programmes. It might help, in the future, to
show that they should not be controlled by a regulation such
as NVZ and help in any appeals. It might show that for the
WFD they do not need to take any actions. Secondly, where
the farmer finds that they are polluting they will be able to
see that they are “part of the problem” and can use guidance
given to them to help resolve the problem.
Testing
This would involve using a specific test kit for a chemical
pollutant. The chemicals to be tested would be: nitrate,
ammonia and phosphate. The EA use simple Ammonia test
kits, which might be appropriate. Each test kit would consist
of a reagent and a chart to check results against. This option
would produce accurate results and with some basic training
should be easy to use for most all farmers. Details of nitrite
(not nitrate but nitrite shown as an e.g.) and phosphate
testing kits are given in the links below:
1. Nitrate
http://www.hannainst.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=120
0_1245&products_id=802&osCsid=je1vn7f7tmt6nvc1bk2a
99l6a5
2. Ammonia
http://www.hannainst.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1200_1245
&products_id=743&osCsid=je1vn7f7tmt6nvc1bk2a99l6a5
3. Phosphate test kit http://www.hannainst.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=
1200_1245&products_id=759&osCsid=je1vn7f7tmt6n
vc1bk2a99l6a5
In both options is essential that the process is farmer led but
that they work to the same standards as the Environment
Agency.
What will be needed?
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Training farmers on how to use monitoring equipment.
Recording sheets and/ or excel spreadsheet.
On-going support for farmers.
Sampling and monitoring equipment.
Guidance sheets on what the results show, what they
mean and what can be done to make a difference.
How would this be delivered?
This would be a project that is supported and promoted by
the NFU. The training and management of the project can be
done in various ways. Ideally it would be best if the training
were delivered by the Environment Agency as this would
help farmers understand that the testing they are doing will
be of an accepted standard. On-going support should be
given by a non-enforcing body such as the Catchment
Sensitive Farming project. The involvement of the EA would
also help to increase confidence by the farming community
by showing that the objective is not to prosecute but support.
. This would help farmers to feel confident that they are not
going to be fined if they are concerned that they might be
breaching a certain quality standard. Guidance material
should be developed by an outside body with heavy input
from the EA and NFU.
When should this start?
As soon as possible but perhaps as part of a wider
communication programme on WFD led by the EA.
What are the potential project outcomes?
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Geography – Where will activity
take place?
Timing – Over what time period
will activity take place?
Partners – Who are the potential
partners?
Please indicate if partners have
been involved in the development
of the project to date, or if they
have yet to be approached.
Fit with Natural Devon’s aims
100 farmers given water quality training and test kits
Change of behaviour in project area
Potential roll out to other areas if successful
Increased publicity on water quality
Farmer led approach.
County-wide
Beginning 2015
National Farmers Union – yet to be approached
Environment Agency – yet to be approached
Natural England – yet to be approached
CSF
CFE
To protect and improve Devon’s
natural environment
To grow Devon’s green
economy
To reconnect Devon’s people
with nature
Commentary:
Primary
Primary
Secondary
Fit with Natural Devon’s
priority themes - Please select
the primary theme(s) that your
project supports, as well as any
themes where the project makes a
secondary contribution. If your
project does not have a primary
theme, please select the
appropriate secondary themes.
More information can be found at
http://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/Final-DLNPprospectus-jan20141.pdf
Fit with HOTSW LEP Strategic
Economic Plan Priorities.
Appendix 1 provides a summary of
the Priorities for Growth. More
information can be found:
http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/strategiceconomic-plan
Secondary
Naturally Healthy
Secondary
Green Connections
No alignment
Outdoor Learning
Primary
Farming with Nature
Secondary
Wood for Good
Primary
Resilient Wetlands
Secondary
Sustainable Seas
Commentary:
Secondary contributions NH - improved shell fisheries and bathing beaches;
GC - healthier streams and river corridors
SS – reduced nitrogen entering estuaries
Please describe how your project contributes to the Heart of the
SW LEP’s Priorities for Growth (see Appendix A). Please list the
priorities where your project could make a direct contribution and
explain how it will contribute.
Sustainable solutions for flood management – this project will
ehlp farmers to monitor sediment run off from fields and also river
bansk. This will enable early action to be taken which will reduce
siltation in channel and increase the flow and capacity of water
coruses.
Enterprise infrastructure – increasing farm productivity by
reducing use of nutrients and protecting soil condition.
Innovation infrastructure – will enables farmers and land
managers to invest in other aras of there businesses through
ncreased efficiencies
Maximising our environmental assets – soil is primary asset, all
life depends upon it. Soils in Devon particularly vulnerable due to
slopes and high rainfall. Improve the quality of rivers, bathing
beaches and shell fisheries. Biologically active soils with raised
levels of soil organic matter are more resilient to climate
extremes.
Business support system to stimulate growth – project will
signpost to existing projects for support and will therefore reduce
confusiuon and add value to existing work in the county.
Technical skills development – project will develop soils and
nutrient management knowledge of farmers and their advisers.
Skills aligned to transformational opportunities – Devon is a
transformation area and grassland farmers are over-reliant on
advisers with vested interest in continued use of artificial inputs.
This project will enable farmers to take ownership of their nutrient
management and ensure that the loss of nutrients and soisl is
limited.
Financials
Outcomes - Please describe what
you expect the project to achieve in
terms of Environmental, Social and
Economic Outcomes
What is the estimated total
project cost?
What proportion of total project
cost are capital costs?
Have you secured any funding
for the project yet? If so, list
amounts and sources.
In your view, what are the
potential sources of funding for
this project?
£50,000
Approx. 40%
None yet
Local Growth Fund
European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development
EA Catchment Partnership
Action Fund
LEADER/LAG
Farmers match funding for
infrastructure on their farm
and good use of Greening
obligation for new BPS.
Environmental Outcomes:
 Reduced losses of nutrients, (particularly phosphorous
and nitrogen) silts and FIOs into watercourses.
 Increased soil biodiversity with knock on benefits to birds
etc.

Social Outcomes:
This project will enable farmers to take ownership of their
nutrients and soils. They will understand the need for optimum
usage and also the impact any losses can have on growth of the
business as well as on the environment. The approach will also
engender an evidence based approach to business and land
management.
Economic Outcomes:
 Reduced soil erosion mitigation measures.
 Reduced expenditure on nutrients
 Increased crop/grass yield produced at lower cost
 More efficient use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides.
Quantifiable outputs - Please
100 x farms participating in the project
10 x workshops held
100 x nutrient and soil management packs distributed,
2 x soil and nutrient advisers to provide skills training and develop
materials and provide remote advice and guidance
100 x farm water testing kits (including for turbidity and N and P)
Review of impact and changes in behaviour at end of project.
Consultation – What consultation Refer to project partners question above
provide any information you have
about quantifiable benefits?
Please describe how these have
been estimated.
has already occurred is more
required?
Statutory Approvals – What
statutory approvals will be
required for the project? Are these
in place?
Risks – What are the main risks
associated with this project?
none
Appendix 1: Heart of the SW LEP Priorities for Growth
Place
Business
People
Creating the Conditions for Growth Improving our infrastructure and services
to underpin growth
Maximising Productivity and Employment
Opportunities - stimulating jobs and
growth across the whole economy
Capitalising on our Distinctive Assets Utilising our distinctive assets to create
opportunities for business growth and
better jobs
The infrastructure and facilities needed to
support higher value growth:
 Specialist marine sites
 Science/Innovation infrastructure
 Maximising our environmental
assets
Infrastructure for growth:
 Transport and accessibility
 Digital infrastructure
 Sustainable solutions for flood
management
 Energy Infrastructure
The infrastructure and facilities to create
more and better employment:
 Enterprise infrastructure
 Strategic employment sites
 Unlocking housing growth
Creating a favourable business environment
 A simpler, more accessible, business
support system, tailored to our
needs
o Improving access to finance
o Stimulating enterprise and
growth
Creating a responsive environment, where
businesses and individuals can reach their
potential:
 Skills infrastructure and facilities
 Accessibility to
education/employment (transport,
careers advice and digital inclusion)
 Employer engagement and
ownership
Achieving more sustainable and broadly
based business growth:
 Reaching new markets (on-line,
supply chains, public sector)
 Globalisation (exports and inward
investment)
Supporting higher value growth:
 Innovation through Smart
Specialisation
 Building our capacity for innovation
Increasing employment, progression and
workforce skills.
 Moving people into employment
 Supporting people to progress to
better jobs
 Improving workforce skills
Creating a world class workforce to support
higher value growth:
 Enterprise and business skills
 Technical and higher level skills
development and retention
 Maximising the skills and
employment opportunities aligned
to our transformational
opportunities.