WATER QUALITY PROJECTS IN THE WELLAND VALLEY
Area
WFD target
Project
Partners
Action/Objective
Outcome
WFD
Assessment
EA
Assess phosphate levels in the main
Welland & all it's tributaries
Provides understanding of where
phosphate is an issue
Enables prioritisation of work
Catchment
Phosphate
Report
EA
Provides understanding of where
phosphate is an issue
Enables prioritisation of work
Phosphate
Catchment
River water
sampling
(Phosphorus)
AWS
Identified areas in catchment failing
for phosphate and apportions
phosphate coming from Sewage
Treatment works or other sources
known as diffuse pollution.
Samples are collected and analysed
on a weekly basis on the river
network upstream & downstream of
STW discharges
Phosphate
Catchment
STW Effluent
sampling
(Phosphorus)
AWS
Samples of STW effluent are
collected & analysed in accordance
with discharge consents.
Improved understanding & trends
for the raw water quality upstream
& downstream of STW discharges.
Inform the source apportionment
modelling programme
Compliance with discharge
consent conditions. Informs the
source apportionment modelling
programme
Metaldehyde
Evidence for
Metaldehyde Guash & whole
catchment
Raw water
sampling
(pesticides &
nitrate)
AWS
Samples are collected & analysed on
South Gwash & Rutland Water
reservoir. Particular emphasis on
metaldehyde.
Improved understanding & trends
for the raw water quality upstream
of the Wing & Morcott WTWs.
Data is shared with the EA &
forwarded to the DWI.
Pesticide
Article 7
compliance
Cypremethrin
Welland Rockingham to
d/s of Stamford
Freshwater
Shrimp &
Cypermethrin;
EA
Lack of freshwater shrimp has been
linked to cypermethrin in the river.
Particularly affects the Welland from
Rockingham to Stamford.
40 samplers to identify problems
More sampling work is required
Fish
Sediment
Evidence for
sediment
Walkover
surveys
EA; WRT;
Local
Farmers
Walkover surveys
Demonstrated where sediments
entering Welland & tributaries
Catchment
Sediment
matters data
EA
Investigation into sediments in the
Welland Catchment
Identified that majority of the
sediment inputs into these
watercourses are from agricultural
run-off.
Catchment
Quick Wins
EA
Walkovers identified habitat
improvements such as desilting old
channels, fencing & cattle troughs.
Identifies areas of concern and
enables prioritisation of work.
Eye Brook
Sediment loads
in Eye Brook
Tributaries
Project
GWCT
Looking at sediment loads in storm
events. Identifies high sediment tribs
& speak to / advise farmers in
affected areas
2 streams identified in Eye Brook
catchment as contributing to high
sediment & action taken to
address issues.
phosphate
Welland Uffington to
Thorpe by
Water.
Pinpoint
GWCT,
WRT,
Rivers
Trust; NE,
EA
Walkover surveys to locate diffuse
pollution by volunteers trained by
GWCT & WRT.
Identifies areas of concern and
enables prioritisation of work
Phosphate;
fish
Gwash &
Welland
Catchment
Data collection
AWS
Acquisition of relevant datasets &
GIS data for Gwash & Welland
Catchment
The range of datasets to help
AWS understand the Gwash &
Welland Catchment,
Gwash & Whole
Catchment
Catchment
Modelling
AWS
Modelling key aspects of catchment
hydrology; land-use; pesticide; nitrate
application data.
Construction, calibration & validation
of a Soil & Water Assessment Tool
Scenario modelling to assess likely
success of potential risk mitigation &
water quality remediation measures
Helps understand how processes
influence raw water quality.
Indicates high risk areas & where
to target mitigation measures.
Informs AMP6 business plan
Supports the EA Safeguard Zone
Action Plan
Catchment
implications
Investigations
AWS
GWCT
Project to gather data & information
on metaldehyde useage & run-off in
monitored sub-catchments around
Loddington Farm
Better understanding of actual
useage trends & how metaldehyde
migrates from fields following
rainfall events
Evidence
Phosphate
Catchment
Evidence being
developed
1
Cost
Phosphate
£10,000
Funded
(FCRM)
EA paid
for
wetlands
on farms
Whole Welland
Catchment
AMP5 NEP
Phosphorus
investigations
AWS
Phosphorous investigations for
STWs within the catchment where
AWS might be a significant
contributor to P in the river.
Model being developed to include
river monitoring data & phosphate
inputs.
Gwash &
Welland
Catchment
Drinking Water
Safeguard Zone
EA/AWS
Welland catchment upstream of
Tinwell, Gwash & other tributaries to
Rutland Water designated as a
Safeguard Zone
Eye Brook &
Catchment
PARIS Project Completed in
2006 but
provides
valuable
information &
baseline data
GWCT;
Leicester
university;
ADAS,
CEH
Wallingfor
d
Compares 2 Welland Catchment
areas with similar from Avon & Wye
areas;
Headwaters Tilton v Loddington =
Low input grass v Arable;
Plus seasonal changes; nutrient
inputs; macro-insects & diatoms;
Biological response to P.
Apportionment of P to agricultural
& domestic sources (rural STWs &
septic tanks). Three years
baseline data for demonstration
catchment at Loddington.
Phosphate;
Check
Defra
website
for cost if
needed.
Eye Brook
Loddington
Diffuse Pollution
control
demonstration
GWCT,
EA,
Leicester
Uni
Demonstration with national
application, to measure the impact of
mitigation measures on diffuse
pollution in a 1.4km2 catchment &
organise farm visits to see this.
Advice delivered to farmers in
practical context alongside range
of other compatible objectives.
Feedback from visiting farmers,
agronomists etc.
Phosphate;
£10,000
from EA;
Main
costs by
GWCT.
Eye Brook &
Catchment
Tramline
Management
project
GWCT,
ADAS,
Lancaster
University,
Defra &
industrial
sponsors
Tests methods of tramline
management to improve infiltration,
reduce runoff & impact on
watercourses without impacting on
crop performance.
Recommendations to farmers for
improved tramline management to
reduce impacts on water.
Phosphate;
Check
Defra
website.
Eye Brook &
Catchment
MOPS2
(Mitigation of
Phosphorus &
Sediment)
GWCT,
Lancaster
University
Testing field corner wetland design to
reduce sediment & P transport from
arable land (especially field drains) to
water. Additional sites in Eden DTC.
Recommendations to DEFRA &
farmers for simple field corner
wetlands to reduce diffuse
pollution.
Phosphate;
Check
Defra
website,.
Drayton Welland
Langton Brook
to Stamford
Demonstration
project
EA; WRT;
Local
Farmers
Fencing off river to prevent cattle
poaching + installing cattle drinkers
+ habitats improvements
Less sediment & associated
nutrients & pollutants entering the
river
£70,000
EA;
Farmers
Fencing off river to prevent cattle
poaching + installing cattle drinkers
Less sediment & associated
nutrients & pollutants entering
water course
Phosphate;
Fish;
plants;
insects
Phosphate;
Fish;
plants;
insects
EA
Address issues with cattle slurry run
off & pollution associated with large
areas of cattle grazing.
Phosphates
; Fish;
Plants;
insects
Not
Funded
GWCT;
AWS;
Pond
Conservati
on, Local
farmers;
EA;
Syngenta,
York
university
GWCT,
WRT,
Rivers
Trust;
Natural
England,
EA
Diffuse Water Pollution Mitigation
measures used in a practical farming
context.
Farmers participating,
Biological baseline data collected
Assessment of pesticides & nutrients
Demonstration of water quality &
ecological outcome following
landscape scale implementation of
appropriate measures.
Will provide guidance for similar
action in region & nationally
Phosphates
; Fish;
Plants;
insects
EA - £120k;
Syngenta 2
year staff
post;
AWS £15k;
Continuing
funding
being
sought.
Walkover surveys to locate diffuse
pollution by volunteers trained by
GWCT & WRT.
Riffle surveys.
Advice to farmers
Farmer workshops at Loddington
January & Autumn 2012.
Encourage voluntary action to
achieve WFD & SSSI objectives;
Encourage farmers & land
managers to take voluntary action
to mitigate DWP;
Integrate with related programmes
& mechanisms to tackle DWPA;
Ensure CSF is embedded within
water management & the
framework for diffuse pollution
measures;
Work with others to develop
partnerships & encourage action to
address DWPA
Phosphates
; Fish;
Plants;
insects
£28,300
(NE CSF)
plus
£23,200
(WRT).
This will be used to show what the
impact of reduced levels of
phosphate would be on the
catchment.
investigations will be completed in
Autumn 2012.
Model will be used to establish
relative P contribution from our
assets & other sources
Will enable modelling of different
scenarios of P reduction.
Target voluntary measures, with
the emphasis on metaldehyde use.
Prevent Metaldehyde going into
water supply
Educate users about application of
Metaldehyde to land
Projects
Enhancement
Projects
Great Bowden;
South Luffenham;
Gretton to
Harringworth;
Welham to Ashley
Medbourne
Brook
Catchment: Eye
Brook &
Stonton Brook
(Welland).
Barkby Brook
(Soar)
Catchment
implications
Potential Project
/ opportunity May be
opportunities to
work with
landowners
Water Friendly
Farming
Pinpoint
2
Projects
Planned
Catchment
Resource
Protection
Leaflet designed
for farmers
Welland
Valley
Partnership
Inform farmers about resource
protection issues; how to address
them & what help they can get
Medbourne
brook
Advisory Visits
Welland
Valley
Partnership
Targeted advisory visits following
walkovers of the Medbourne brook
catchment carried out by a
professional farm advisor
Eye Brook;
Guash;
Stonton Brook;
Stoke Albany
Brook;
Welland u/s
Stamford;
Gwash &
Welland
Catchment
Targeted
investigations &
advisory visits
Welland
Valley
Partnership
Drinking Water
Protected Areas
(DrWPAs) (water
bodies in which
there is a source
of raw water).
Catchment
implications
Catchment
implications
Improved understanding of water
resource issues in the Welland
Catchment
Potential to engage farmers &
carry out projects
Advise given;
Projects identified & carried out;
Improved understanding of water
resource issues;
Phosphate;
; Fish;
Plants;
insects
Areas identified as priority
catchments to deliver resource
protection measures
Deliver works within priority
catchments where problems are
identified to gain maximum
improvement for the Welland.
Phosphate;
Fish;
Plants;
insects
EA & AWS
The WFD requires us to identify ‘at
risk’ DrWPAs.
Where there is evidence of a
possible failure of drinking water
standards or
Evidence of repeated failure of the
standard in locations where
companies would need to invest in
additional treatment.
EA to develop safeguard zone
action plans & implement actions
to reduce the pollutants identified
Phosphate;
Pesticides
Stakeholder
Liaison
AWS;
GWCT
National, regional & catchment
liaison with various stakeholders
Highlight drinking water quality
issues, understand stakeholder
roles & viewpoints & work towards
practical & acceptable solutions
EA/Water
Company
Pesticide Liaison
Group
Love Every Drop
campaign
EA/AWS &
other
water
companies
Meet quarterly to share data &
exchange updates on pesticide
trends
To improve knowledge of water
quality in Welland Catchment
AWS
Campaign to encourage everyone to
put water at the heart of a whole new
way of sustainable living.
Catchment
implications
EA/AW Working
Together
Initiative
EA/AWS
A Working Together Initiative;
A Catchment Management Group
who work together to achieve
common objectives in line with the
AMP5 NEP Book of Obligations.
Protect drinking water quality;
Move AWS to low CO2 footprint;
Deliver sustainable water
treatment
Work with others who influence
water use
Help people to appreciate water as
a precious resource
Identify opportunities to avoid
duplication of effort & expenditure,
Provides a basis to cultivate strong
collaborative links between EA &
AWS
Develop understanding of each
others needs
Catchment
implications
Pelletwise
Campaign
Metaldehyde
Stewardship
Group (MSG)
MSG
Formed in response to analysis
showing traces of metaldehyde, an
ingredient of certain slug pellets,
being found in catchments used for
water abstraction.
Working with the farming industry
to address the problem & promote
best practice
Catchment
implications
Metaldehyde
Stewardship
Group/Water
Industry sub
group
AWS
Working with agro chemical
companies + Pelletwise Campaign to decrease active Metaldehyde
ingredients in slug pellets & look for
alternatives
Stalls at Cereals events;
leaflets & other educational material
Education on issues related to
metaldehyde
Resource protection advice to
prevent or minimise amount
entering water.
Catchment
implications
Metaldehyde
Applications Best Practice
MTF
Metaldehyde Task Force has
suggested the following measures:
Reduce max individual dose rate to
160g a.s/ha or less for any
combination of Metaldehyde
products.
Reduce total max dose applied to
autumn drilled crops during the
period 1/8 to 31/12 to 160g a.s./ha
Withdraw older products (5% & 6%)
from supply chain
Dose rates described will be
‘recommendations’ & we assume
voluntary best practice.
WVP may consider encouraging
adoption of these
‘recommendations’
Plus follow-up monitoring &
investigating the potential for
further interventions.
Community,
Partnership &
campaigns
Catchment
implications
Metaldehyde
Task Force
(MTF)
3
Phosphate;
Fish;
Plants;
insects
Meeting with
farmers in the
Welland Valley
Welland
Valley
Partnership
Resource
protection leaflet
Welland
Eye Brook &
Welland
Catchment
Catchment
Presentations; demonstrations;
conferences; events with farmers
about resource protection in the
Welland Valley
Farmers informed about resource
protection issues.
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
Designed to inform farmers about
diffuse pollution & how they can help
to recognise & prevent it
Demonstration
projects Drayton
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
A demonstration project showing
how resource protection can work in
a practical farm environment
Farmers informed about resource
protection issues
Offers advisory visits &
Grants for resource protection
measures
Demonstrates good practice & an
opportunity for farmers to discuss
resource protection measures in a
practical setting
Demonstration
projects &
workshops at
Loddington
Experimental
Farm
GWCT &
Welland
Valley
Partnership
All aforementioned projects based at
Loddington demonstrate good
practice for resource protection in the
Welland Catchment & further afield
Demonstrates good practice & an
opportunity for farmers to discuss
resource protection measures in a
practical setting
Farm Advisor to
carry out visits in
priority areas
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
Advisor would carry out visits to
identify areas requiring
improvements & managing the
prioritisation & delivery of these
within the Welland Catchment
Better resource protection within
the Welland Valley
Welland
Attend Rutland &
Blaston shows
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
Attend shows on the NFU stand;
Rutland Show on 3/6/12 & 24/06/12
Promote Welland resource
protection message
Welland
Promote Resource
Protection
message to
agronomists,
advisors &
contractors
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
A conference for advisors and
agronomists is to be held on 27th
March 2012
Promote Welland resource
protection message
Welland
Potential training
May June 2012
Slug Pellet (PA4) application training
Assessment & calibration of fertiliser
spinner discs
Promote Welland resource
protection message
Welland
Farm walks
Welland
Valley
Partnership
- Resource
Protection
Group
Farm
Advisors
Farm advisors will promote the
resource protection message and
give out leaflets during summer 2012
Promote Welland resource
protection message
Gaps in
evidence,
information &
projects,
To be completed
as project
progresses
Good Practice
& Advice
Welland
Ideas &
Aspirations
Welland
NFU;
GWCT
Key
AWS - Anglian Water (Water Company for Welland area)
EA
- Environment Agency
GWCT - Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
MTF - Metaldehyde Task Force
NFU - National Farmers Union
MSG - Metaldehyde Stewardship Group
WRT - Welland Rivers Trust
4
£30kpa –
Applied
for