Water & Wastewater Treatment

www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | SEPTEMBER 2015 | 21 Project focus Catchment management Upstream thinking with farmers on the River Ouse Project focus I n response to the challenge to reduce drinking water treatment costs, South East Water is pioneering a programme to work directly with farmers to tackle pollution at source. The Ouse Upstream Thinking Project is part of an innovative five year catchment management strategy delivered in partnership with Natural England Catchment Sensitive Farming. Charles Chantler CaTChMEnT OffiCER SOuTh EaST WaTER ● South East Water implements five-year-strategy for catchment in Sussex ● Capital grants scheme for farmers reduces risks to water ● Focus on reducing metaldehyde levels in watercourse ● Metaldehyde and suspended sediment was entering river Ouse from agricultural activity ● Catchment approach could reduce treatment costs ● need to meet good ecological status under eU Water Framework Directive • Drivers is good reason to work directly with farmers to achieve cleaner water. This can help to meet drinking water standards and can contribute to attaining 'good ecological status' in rivers and streams, as required by European Union Water Framework Directive legislation. Work started in the River Ouse catchment in 2012, with initial research undertaken by South East Water in conjunction with the Environment Agency and the University of Brighton. This led to the identification of priority sub- catchments which directly affected the treatment works at Barcombe, which supplies drinking water to 300,000 customers in East Sussex. The study found parts of the upper Ouse catchment contributed significant levels of suspended sediment, with the lower section of the catchment having a notable influence on the levels of metaldehyde, the active ingredient of slug pellets. While metaldehyde is relatively safe to human health, it needs to be removed to meet drinking water standards. The particular challenge of metaldehyde and other agricultural pesticides is that the activated carbon used at treatment works to remove pesticides has to be replaced periodically, at significant cost to the industry and its customers. Increased loading of pesticides into drinking water catchments places a strain on existing water treatment processes. Visits and recommendations As a result of the study, a pilot project was initiated to work with 10 farms (five in the upper reaches of the catchment and five in the lower) to offer advice and grants to help improve water quality in their local areas. This began with a 'whole farm appraisal' of each farm which Catchment refers to an area of land which drains to a river or stream. While agriculture is not the only source of pollution within these areas, it is recognised that it does have a role to play in maintaining water quality. This is particularly important when it comes to preventing soil, nutrients and agro-chemicals from reaching watercourses. With land use and water quality so closely linked, there Pilot farm in the River Ouse Catchment. The photograph shows erosion on a track leading directly to a stream. This will be remedied by resurfacing, the installation of cross drains and the creation of a 'blind ditch' (to the right of the picture) to intercept 'run-off' before it enters the stream

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