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| VI Pilot Catchments |
As part of the first five years of the VI, CPA and UKWIR agreed to sponsor research into reducing pesticide levels found in raw water in six pilot catchments. A summary of the study has now been published
showing how the VI has developed a toolbox of approaches to reduce pesticide residues in water. The toolbox includes local decision trees, catchment maps, drainflow monitoring and text messaging. The results so far have been encouraging with up to 98% reduction in one catchment, however the study has also highlighted potential problems with the herbicides used on winter oilseed rape and the remaining challenge of intense rainfall events.
CPA and individual water companies have agreed to fund the study for a further two years to consolidate progress and resolve remaining issues. One extra catchment (Staunton Harold) Leicestershire has been added to the work.
If you would like to find out more about the VI pilot catchments contact the project manger Nick Humphrey
To find out more about each catchment or to check on their location click on the links below
River Blythe, South Staffordshire
The River Blythe Catchment, South Staffs Water, is a reservoir surface water catchment with the abstraction point at Blithfield Reservoir near Abbots Bromley. The number of farms within the catchment is approximately 100. Prior to the start of the VI in 2001, the pesticide problems were isoproturon between 0 - 0.45ppb, mecoprop between 0.01 - 0.22 ppb and MCPA between 0 - 0.13 ppb
To check whether you are in the Blythe Catchment Click here
Upper Cherwell, Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire
The Upper Cherwell Catchment, Thames Water, is a surface water river catchment with an approximate area of 199 kmē on predominantly clay soils. The land use within the catchment is principally mixed farming, arable and grassland, plus some amenity use with an estimate of 270 farms within the catchment.
Prior to the start of the VI in 2001 the pesticide problems were isoproturon between 0 -3.5 ppb, MCPA between 0 - 2.4ppb, simazine between 0 -1.6 pbb, mecoprop-p 0 -1.5 ppb, atrazine between 0 - 0.95 ppb, chlorotoluron between 0 - 0.7 ppb and 2,4-D between 0 - 0.35 ppb.
To check whether you are in the Cherwell Catchment Click here
River Leam, Warwickshire
The River Leam Catchment, Severn Trent Water, is a surface water river catchment with an area of approx. area 373 kmē. The land use is mixed farming with both arable and grassland plus some amenity use with around 350 farms within the catchment.
Prior to the start of the VI in 2001 the pesticide problems have been mecoprop between 0 - 6 ppb, isoproturon between 0-10ppb and simazine 0-30ppb.
To check whether you are in the River Leam Catchment Click here
Boston Park, South Yorkshire
The Boston Park Catchment, Yorkshire Water, is a ground water catchment abstracted from a Triassic Sherwood sandstone aquifer. The catchment area is approx. 200 ha composed of mixed farming and small -holdings with 60 farms in the catchment.
Prior to the start of the VI in 2001 the pesticide problems have been mecoprop between 0.005 - 2.25ppb, MCPA between 0.004 - 0.37ppb and bentazone: 0.03 - 0.27ppb
To check whether you are in the Boston Park Catchment Click here
Ingbirchworth, Yorkshire
The Ingbirchworth Catchment, Yorkshire Water, is an upland reservoir surface water catchment with an area of approx. 800 ha. Land use is mainly grassland, both for grazing and silage, with 27 farms.
Prior to the start of the VI in 2001 the pesticide problems have been MCPA between 0.06 - 0.18ppb, 2-4-D between 0.07 - 0.19 ppb and mecoprop-p between 0.02 - 0.11ppb
To check whether you are in the Ingbirchworth Catchment Click here
Staunton Harold, Leicestershire
The Staunton Harold catchment occupies some 32 kmē of mixed farmland on the border between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Melbourne lies to the north and Ashby-de-la-Zouch to the south west. Staunton Harold is one of two reservoirs, the other being the Foremark Reservoir, supplied by direct pumping from the River Dove. Staunton Harold has had a history of residues of IPU, CTU and 2,4-D while the Foremark Reservoir has not. The pesticides are therefore almost certainly originate in local run-off, not from the River Dove.
To check whether you are in the Staunton Harold Catchment Click here
River Ugie, NE Scotland
The River Ugie Catchment, Scottish Water, is a surface water river catchment and covers approx. 155kmē. The two tributaries, the North and the South Ugie, flow through predominantly lowland mixed farmland and there are some 270 farms within the catchment. The water is abstracted close to the coast at Balmoor, Peterhead where there is a raw water reservoir holding about three days storage.
Prior to the start of the VI in 2001 the pesticide problems have been: MCPA between 0 0.16 ppb, mecoprop-p between 0 0.15ppb and isoproturon.
To check whether you are in the River Ugie Catchment Click here
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