Title: Sources of farm pollution and impact on river quality : interim report (001/6/W)
Author: G.P. Rutt
Author: T. Pickering
Author: C.P. Maidstone
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
This project is concerned with providing the NRA and regulatory authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland with practical tools for the assessment and control of organic pollution from livestock farming. Under the auspices of the NRA, the project has run from September 1989 and is due to be completed in September 1992. The emphasis of the work is on the use of biological monitoring techniques as a simple and rapid means of highlighting and assessing water quality problems. This report describes work undertaken between 1 October 1991 and 31 March 1992. Nearly 150 sites, previously assessed in an extensive survey in west Wales have been revisited using the biological indicator key approach developed under this project. The results are to be analysed to assess the efficacy of remedial measures on key polluting farms. However, owing to resourcing problems within the pollution control function, much necessary remedial work has not been undertaken. Samples are being processed to produce an indicator key for use in summer, to complement the spring key. The indicator key developed in NRA South West Region, to assess the usefulness of the approach in other regions, has been refined through the identification of macroinvertebrates down to genus or species level. The improved key appears to be more useful and it is recommended that future keys are similarly produced. The rapid appraisal technique is being tested in Yorkshire and North West regions, in high risk catchments selected using the computerised database on farm pollution risk developed under this project. Intensive chemical and biological monitoring of the Nant Pibwr, a stream known to have been polluted by yard drainage,
revealed no major impact. This was thought to be due to the high dilution in the stream and
successful remedial measures. Work has continued on monitoring salmonid recolonisation
following acute farm pollution incidents.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1992
Publication Place: Bristol
Subject Keywords: Indicators; Farms; Pollution monitoring; Water quality; Invertebrates; Salmon
Geographic Keywords: Scotland; Wales
Extent: 68
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4018
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