Collective Action ‘Essential’ To Tackle Water Quality Concerns

A new review of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution, Wales) Regulations 2021 has been published by the Welsh Government, looking into how effective measures currently in place are at reducing water pollution from agricultural sources.

Encouragingly, it was found that the regulatory approach is sound, but there are still significant opportunities to drive improvements forwards to benefit both the environment and farmers alike.

In all, five key recommendations have been put forward to deliver these improvements:

– Targeting regulations more effectively at polluting activities, while driving down burdens on low-risk farming

– Identifying alternative measures, particularly in relation to the 170kg nitrogen per hectare manure limit and closed periods

– Improving accessibility and regulation clarity for farmers

– Addressing regulatory gaps, including nutrient management planning and soil protection measures

Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister who’s responsible for climate change and rural affairs, observed that clean water is essential for everything from growing food to drinking, with daily life entirely dependent upon it.

As such, everything possible must be done to improve water quality – but, in Wales, this is still being affected detrimentally, meaning that improvements must continue, with agriculture remaining one of the biggest pollution contributors.

He explained: “The review agrees with our overall approach to the regulations but also shows ways we can make things better for both farmers and our environment. I plan to put all these recommendations into action.

“The existing rules will stay in place while the recommendations are taken forward and we will work together with all interested groups to develop these changes. We will make sure any new rules are fair and reasonable, while still focusing on our main goal – to reduce pollution from farming activities.”

Author of the review, agricultural scientist Dr Susannah Bolton, made further comments, saying: “The engagement I have conducted for this review has demonstrated that there are strongly shared aspirations for improving water quality in Wales.

“I am genuinely optimistic that the recommended changes to the regulation will enable a greater degree of common agency and shared responsibility to address the challenges.”

Agricultural water pollution

One of the biggest threats to river health is water pollution from agriculture, where a variety of different substances enter water at levels harmful enough to affect the functioning of the ecosystem.

This water pollution occurs via different pathways, including:

Surface runoff

Here, soluble substances and anything else that’s transportable (such as soil or material attached to the soil) is carried into waterways via flow of water over land.

Direct discharge

Pollution can take place directly, where liquid leaks into water from silage, slurry and manure stores, washing machinery and yards, livestock faeces, sediment and use of fertilisers/agrochemicals.

Drain/ditch flow

Field drains and ditches can collect contaminated soil water, quickly delivering nutrients and surface runoff into rivers, lakes and streams.

Leaching

Polluting substances can dissolve into water and be transported downwards into the ground, either into sub-surface flows or the groundwater itself. When contaminated groundwater eventually reaches the surface, it can lead to pollution of waterways above ground.

Ammonia

Ammonia is used in manufactured fertilisers, as well as appearing naturally in livestock manure, building up on the soil or carried there by rainfall, potentially leading to nitrogen leaching into water or being carried into sources via surface runoff.

How can farmers improve water quality?

According to the National Farmers’ Union, farming has already made significant progress in improving water quality, with a 75 per cent drop in serious incidents year on year, but there is always room for improvement.

For example, water quality can be monitored to understand the sources of diffuse pollution, soils can be tested to see what’s in the mix already and what reductions can be made, nutrient applications can be planned to drive down input costs and protect the environment and nutrients in the soil can be protected and diverted to where they can best support crop growth .

Further, water can be captured and retained to prevent contamination and used elsewhere, and on-farm infrastructure can be improved to deliver effective water management.

There are various funds and grants available to help the industry drive these changes through, which could certainly be worth investigating if you’re keen to do your part to protect the environment and shore up water supplies for future generations.