Citation:

Nadir, H and Ahmed, A (2021) Impact of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Catchment Sensitive
Farming on Water Quality in UK: Case Study of Ingbirchworth and Scout Dyke Reservoirs.
Research & Development in Material Science, 14 (5). pp. 1610-1619. ISSN 2576-8840 DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31031/RDMS.2021.14.000848

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https://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/id/eprint/7565/

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Copyright Ash Ahmed and Hafiz Muhammad Nadir.

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 Crimson Publishers Research Article
Wings to the Research

Impact of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and

Catchment Sensitive Farming on Water
Quality in UK: Case Study of Ingbirchworth
and Scout Dyke Reservoirs
Hafiz Muhammad Nadir1 and Ash Ahmed2*
1
Doctoral Researcher, Civil Engineering Group, Leeds Beckett University, UK
ISSN: 2576-8840 2Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Group, Leeds Beckett University, UK

Abstract
The rivers and water streams are considered as a source of fresh drinking water for the human being
on earth. The main source of water entering to these reservoirs is surface run off, snow melting and
underground water. The water at the river’s mouth is generally in the form of small streams which are
considered clean but as they flow down the catchment, pollutants and nutrients start to enter in larger
amounts due to anthropogenic activities and advanced land use by human beings. As per inspection of
chief inspector “Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)” in 2016, out of more than 4600 water bodies and
3700 rivers in England, only one sixth could get “good” status and two third could get “moderate” status as
per European union standards. This is though a good achievement in Europe but alarming also, as all rivers
are required to have achieved specified “good” standards by 2021 (extended to 2027 for some categories).
This phenomenon is pronouncing more complications in drinking water reservoirs or compensatory
reservoirs from where water is taken out to utility companies and treated for domestic water supply
incurring an enormous cost on its treatment before human consumption. The clean water standards
*Corresponding author: Ash Ahmed,
can be achieved only if a strict control is implemented on entry of pollutants/ nutrients from surface
Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
Group, UK run off using thorough catchment scale sensitive strategies. UK has been implementing strict measures
under Environment Agency (EA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and
Submission: December 23, 2020 other organizations like “Natural England”, “River Trust” and water utility/ supply companies to achieve
desired standards of water quality in rivers by managing the whole catchment as per European union
Published: January 15, 2021
water framework directive (EU WFD) 2000.The catchment sensitive farming and nitrate vulnerable zones
policies were started in 1992 and has been in full practice by implementing different stewardship schemes
Volume 14 - Issue 5
and fertilizers control measures in farmlands and arable lands. Ingbirchworth reservoir and Scout Dyke
compensatory reservoir have been under catchment sensitive stewardship schemes to control quantities
How to cite this article: Hafiz Muhammad
of nutrients especially nitrates and other pollutants since 2006 to maintain good quality water reservoirs
Nadir, Ash Ahmed. Impact of Nitrate
for drinking and compensation to Don river. A partial success has been achieved in controlling the values
Vulnerable Zones and Catchment
Sensitive Farming on Water Quality of nitrates, phosphates, and suspended solids to enter from catchment farmlands by controlling the use
in UK: Case Study of Ingbirchworth of slurry/ fertilizers and implementation of good farming techniques. However, temporal and special
and Scout Dyke Reservoirs. Res Dev variations show a variable result of presence of nitrates, phosphates and suspended solids at different
Material Sci. 14(5). RDMS.000848. 2021. streams in different times, more than specified limits of 11.3mg/L, 0.1mg/L and 25mg/L respectively.
DOI: 10.31031/RDMS.2021.14.000848 This requires more holistic efforts to control the bad practices in farming in adjacent farm/arable lands
and improvements in stewardship schemes for catchment sensitive farming in Ingbirchworth areas.
Copyright@ Ash Ahmed and Hafiz Keywords: Catchment sensitive farming;Nitrate vulnerable zones;Water quality;Stewardship farming
Muhammad Nadir. This article is schemes;Impact; Success
distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International Introduction
License, which permits unrestricted use
and redistribution provided that the Water is a common resource for all living creatures and is required to be preserved for
original author and source are credited. use by all, in its pure/ natural form [1]. Unfortunately, the natural clean state of water in the
rivers/ streams could not be preserved pollution free, mainly due to anthropogenic activities
of humankind, land use changes, industrial revolution, heavy modified water bodies,
geomorphological changes and climatic variations. All these have impacted the water quality
with adverse effects on biodiversity and ecology. The increase in population and technology/
industry advancement have resulted into more use of fresh water from the environment.
European Union Water Framework Directive (2000 & amended in 2012) wants every member
state to implement best possible measures to prevent polluting the water streams physically
or chemically by managing the complete river catchment as a wholistic approach [2]. This
seems to be a gigantic task with less success possibilities but if implemented successfully, can
stop doing the modifications and pollutants entry to water bodies throughout the catchment
length by all stakeholder/ public partnership. UK has more than 8000 water streams in around

Research & Development in Material science 1610

 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1611

100 catchments to manage as per River Basin Management Plans especially after industrial revolution [6]. Kallis [7], Kaika [8],
prepared/ revised every 6 years by Environment Agency. These Adshead [9] & Grimeaud [10] have explained WFD issuance in 2000
are managed to get ‘Good Status’ as per EU standards by 2021& as a historic milestone which combined all previous directives for
2027 (extended) due to non-attainment of goals set for 2015 [3]. maintenance of clean and healthy water for drinking/ irrigation/
The target to limit Nutrients and sediments into the rivers from bathing by preventing mixing/ disposal of waste, chemicals,
farmlands remains a grey area in almost all EU countries and UK organic materials, excessive use of nutrients/ manures, industrial
[4,5]. We are required to implement the best management practices waste and heavy modifications to water bodies for benefit of all
to control all these pollutants entering to streams throughout the living organism in all habitats including human beings, plants,
length of the river catchments which comprise the implementation birds, animals, microorganism and aqua life [7-10]. The WFD has
of catchment sensitive farming being major source of pollutants, been evolving over time into a detailed document by integration
rehabilitation of barren land by forestation, control on land use of various water related directives and policies issued time to time
changes, sediment transport to rivers from tillage/ cropless fields, as shown in Figure 1; [11] and ask member states to maintain
control on farming and animal waste, preventing free entry of water reservoir for all purposes free from dangerous pollutants
oil/ chemicals from roads as surface run off, control on industrial and treatment of wastewater before entering it to water streams
wastes/ sewerage treatment disposals and preservation of natural through proper treatment plants. The treatment of polluted water
course of flow of streams with no/ less modifications. is a costly affair and incurring major cost/ difficulty to water
agencies in UK to achieve desired standards as implemented by EU
The anthropogenic pollution of water bodies by mixing of
WFD especially due to nitrate vulnerable farming in the catchment
physical, chemical, biological and industrial waste in these streams
areas [12].
is a result of increased population and human interventions

Figure 1: Integration of WFD [11].

The farmlands, cultivated areas and grassy fields are considered farming measures result into direct reduction of production yield
as a biggest source of entry of nutrients like Nitrate, Sulphate and and economic loss to farmers. However, UK government has
Phosphates and Suspended Solids (SS) into water streams and implemented the rules for catchment sensitive farming with several
reservoirs due to extensive use of organic manures and chemical subsidies to ease out the economic burden on farmers and they were
fertilizers by farmers. The best solution to overcome the presence of required to implement the rules by 2019 with restricted use of land
nutrients and Suspended Solids (SS) is to implement a sustainable falling in the catchment vicinity of water reservoirs. The success of
and sensible land use strategy for controlled agriculture/ farming catchment sensitive policy is still questionable as much is required
in the catchment. The agriculture contributes £8 Billion in UK to be done by farmers in collaboration with DEFRA (Department
GDP by employing more than 0.3M people to do arable farming on for food, environment and rural affairs) and EA (Environment
three quarters of UK land [13]. However, controlling the farming agency UK). This study has been carried out to assess the post
industry to desired results is very difficult as any restrictions on use implementation scenario/ water quality after incorporation of
of fertilizers/ manures and implementation of catchment sensitive catchment sensitive farming in Ingbirchworth and Scout areas in

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1612

South Yorkshire. In this study, water samples were collected from and some of the cultivated crop lands. This area is being managed
Ingbirchworth drinking water supply reservoir and Scout Dyke by catchment sensitive farming under policies of DEFRA, Nitrate
compensatory reservoirs maintained by Yorkshire Water Agency in Vulnerable Zones legislation and Catchment Sensitive Farming
the catchment of River Don. These reservoirs are fed by different advice since 2002. Pictorial coverage/ maps of reservoir are given
water streams mainly draining water from surrounding arable/ in Figure 2.
farmlands of around 11.2km2 comprising mainly on grassland

Figure 2: Maps and Pictures Ingbirchworth reservoirs taken during site visit.

Literature Review of SS [18], 25% of phosphorus and 60% of nitrate inputs to rivers
[19]. Ockenden et al (2012) in their study found that it is difficult
The ever-increasing human interference in nature and
to control the influx of pollutants from Agri lands due to diffused
especially for last 5 decades after industrial revolution, have caused
use of fertilizers and presence of residual chemicals/ slurry in soil
more intake of nutrients and SS into water streams than ever before
even in controlled catchment management [20]. There is a need
[14,15]. Edwards and Withers (2008) have studied that the water
of controlling the pollution sources from the fields by controlling
reservoirs are facing anthropogenic concentration of nutrients
application of fertilizers/ manures, over grazing, tillage, cross slope
and SS due to increased use of fertilisers, manure, slurry, polluted
cultivation, edge of fields/ buffer zones, wetlands, maintenance of
surface drainage, wastewater, modified land use for agriculture,
surface runoff and ditches/ drains in the catchment areas [21,22].
farms, urbanization, deforestation and industry [16]. Up to 70
The pollutants can be point source or diffuse pollution in the form
% of Nitrogen and 30 to 50 % of phosphorous are coming from
of Nutrients/ waste from agriculture/ farmlands, chemicals/ waste
agricultural/ farms land into the reservoirs/ water streams in UK
from industry/ roads/ surface drainage, sewerage treatment plants
[17]. Runoff from arable/ farmlands is producing influx of up to 75%
disposal, waste/ leakages from sewerage systems of rural/ urban

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1613

population, microplastic, pharmaceuticals or modified structures SCaMP 1,2 and 3 by United Utilities since 2005 to 2020 are the
[23]. These pollutants are responsible for bad water quality which catchment management examples in which around 60,000 hectares
largely affect the aqua life in the form of decreased biodiversity, of land has been managed with catchment sensitive farming,
genetic variations of species in water, algae/ bacteria/ coliform forestation, peatland drains blockage, re-vegetation and fencing etc.
growth, dead zones due to decreased dissolved oxygen and There have been improvements/ steady results in water quality as
sediments concentration. A per OFWAT (2011), England and Wales regards the colour, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic carbon, less
extract more than 55 billion litres/day from ecological water cycle soil erosion/ sediment transport, rehabilitation of natural habitats
which is equal to Winder Lake water. Water companies supply 15 to some extent with temporal/ spatial variations because of these
billion litres/ day as treated water for domestic use, and they have schemes though lesser than the desired results.
charged customers £30 billion for treatment/ disposal of this water.
However, more area is required to be managed to get better
To minimize this amount and to reduce the impact on ecosystem
results in the catchment with participation/ finances of farmers,
by extraction of this much of water, Billions of pounds have been
NGOs and government organization [32]. Collins [33] in their
spent on catchment management to get good quality raw water and
study of implementation of 12 onsite nutrients/ sediment control
return it back to environment with less treatment effort [24]. The
measures on farmlands in UK found that a localized impact on
pollutants are dissolved/ diluted by attenuation in river streams in
reduction in the levels of nitrate by 2.5%, phosphate by 11.9%
open channel flow but extraction of huge amount of water affects
and Sediments by 5.6% was observed with annual cost of £52/
this attenuation/ dilution capability of water. Therefore, best
hectare. It will cost around £450 million for whole agriculture
catchment management practices are required to maintain the
land in UK annually to decrease the levels by these small levels.
water cycle with minimum disturbance. Fresh water is extracted
The 100% efficacy of these catchment practices involve more than
from environment and used for different purposes. During use,
700 measures which are required to be fully controlled for the
water gets polluted by human and after treatment by Wastewater
desired results of WFD with enormous investment and willingness
Treatment Plants (WWTP) and then it is released back in water
participation of farmers [33].
streams. The treated water is not 100% free from pollutants/
chemicals and badly disturbs the water cycle in quality/ quantity DPIWE (2003), Department for primary industries, water
both. As per press release of Environment Agency EA (2019) and environment Tasmania carried out study on water quality of
on efficacy of WWTP in UK, the standards achieved by the water Montagu River after decades of its catchment management and
companies in their WWTP since 2011, has deteriorated due to found out very less improvement in quality of water as all indicators
increase in sewage mixing occurrences in 2018. Only Northumbrian about nutrients, sediments, coliform bacteria and other physical/
Water, one out of 9 water companies in UK, has achieved passing chemical impurities remained more than the specified limits in
standards [25]. The partially treated water from these treatment almost all the reaches of the river thus showing hardly any success
plants is a source of pollution like pharmaceutical/ cosmetics of catchment management to improve the water quality. The
residuals/ chemicals [26,27], microfibers/ microplastics [28,29] failure was caused mainly by non-implementation of the required
faecal coliform bacteria and other pathogens [30]. As per WWF practices, no control on use of fertilizers on farmlands, no proper
(2019), one of the major causes of failing of UK rivers in getting disposal of sewerage/ industrial waste, lack of public participation
good ecological status is pollution from WWTP as it impacts around and lack of finances [34].
40% of UK rivers. It is imperative to modernize the WWTP to work
McDowell [35] carried out the study for assessment of water
as per the standards laid down by EU WFD and those specified by
quality in Pomahaka River catchment in New Zealand after decades
Environment Agency UK, otherwise UK may not be able to meet the
of management for levels of nitrates, phosphate, suspended solids
2021 & 2027 WFD targets [30]. UK customers are paying around
and E-coli bacteria. Very little improvement was observed in the
£1.25 Billion annually as their water/ sewerage bills to water
length of the river with a lot of spatial/ temporal variations. Overall,
companies for the treatment of fresh/ wastewater, since 1989.
the given indicators could not get better improvements due to
Therefore, water companies are required to invest more on their
application of fertilizers/ slurry on wet soils, unvegetated fields in
plants and catchment management as a good preventative measure
non-crops season, ploughing of wet soils, direct ingress of animal
to maintain quality of water in rivers [31].
faecal from Sheep and dairy farms and mixing of overflow sewerage
Some catchment management schemes and their efficacy from urban/ rural population [35].
in reducing water pollution throughout river catchment
Kay [36] studied Ingbirchworth reservoir catchment area to
The best management practice to maintain a River Catchment determine efficacy of catchment management which was declared
is to control pollution entering the rivers from agriculture and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) under EA in 2002 and associate
farmlands. The bulk source of sediments, nitrate and phosphate to catchment ECSFDI in 2006 (England catchment sensitive farming
rivers is due to soil erosion/ use of fertilizers/ slurry in agriculture/ Delivery Initiative ECSFDI). It comprises 3 reservoirs mainly
grazing fields which cause growth of algae and decrease in dissolved surrounded by grazing lands of livestock with very less arable land.
oxygen in water streams. Following paragraphs give details of some EA has managed the monitoring of this area by taking fortnightly
catchment schemes and their efficacy in getting desired results: samples at 11 points. They used the long-term data of EA and took

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1614

50 samples to determine the improvements in water quality. A mechanism by government agencies to achieve results in the
partial success of catchment management in nitrate and phosphate whole catchment. The results achieved for reduction of nitrates,
levels in last 3 decades was observed that too only in a few streams phosphates and suspended solids over long-term observations
having variations of levels lesser/ more than the specified limits of 3 years were found highly susceptible to temporal and spatial
in different peak times showing temporal/ spatial variations. variations though partial improvement has been achieved as shown
The conclusion was drawn that localized management can give a by ranges, median values and lower/ higher limits with first and
better result for a local area only, however much more is required fourth quartile box graphs as given in Figure 3; [36].
to be done by public participation and stricter implementation

Figure 3: Presence of Nitrate and Phosphate in Ingbirchworth/ Scout Dyke 2006-2009 [36].

There is a need to interact with farmers to implement catchment Methodology

sensitive practices like how, when and what quantity of fertilizers
Samples were collected from 9 inlets/ streams sources to
to be used, how to use slurry like injecting into the soil instead of
Ingbirchworth reservoir (IB 1 to IB9) and 4 samples were taken
spraying it on the soil, how to store the slurry, pesticides, insecticides
from inlet streams to Scout Dyke reservoir (S1 to S4). Readings for
and fertilizers etc away from water channels under the roof. How to
PH, conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen were taken
do soil tillage and at what time. They should not plough the fields
at sites. Water samples were tested in laboratory for Alkalinity,
when soil is wet, should not spray in rainy weather, should maintain
SS, phosphates PO4_P, ammonia NH4_N, nitrates NO3+NO2-N and
a buffer zone in between the water channel and crops edge, should
NO2-N. Aqua800 advanced qualitative analyser/ method was used in
grow a cover crop to stop sediments entry from naked soil and they
laboratory to analyse nutrients. Total phosphorus was converted to
should have mixed breeds/ types of animals as livestock [24,37-
active “P” by hydrolyses through mixing of potassium per-sulphate
39]. DEFRA is interacting with farmers by frequent site visits of its
in portion of sample and value was measured. SS was measured by
employees to give guidelines and to do audit of implementation of
passing 500ml sample water through 0.45µm filter and measuring
DEFRA guidance/ rules. However, there is a direct requirement of
the difference in weight of dry filter before and after passing the
public sector financing as the voluntary schemes are not achieving
solution to measure the retained solids particles on dried up filter
the desired results. There is a requirement of giving subsidies/
in the oven. Field observations were taken having a complete round
financial benefits to farmers as per the target-oriented success
of the area, fields, farms and reservoir inlet streams physically to
rate instead of subsidies on unit rate. DEFRA has entry level and
check the on-ground condition of grasslands, animal farms, use of
high-level stewardship agricultural schemes for better agriculture
slurry, silage, loose soil after ploughing, extent of buffer zones and
practices as per England catchment sensitive farming Delivery
maintenance of cover and slope by farmers. The biggest farm in the
Initiative (ECSFDI), but all is required to be linked to success-
catchment areas of Ingbirchworth was visited to meet the managers
oriented financing/ punitive measures [39,40].
and farmers to know their farming techniques/ quantities used

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1615

for fertilizers/ slurry applications, maintenance of buffers along Result

water channels, soil cover, methods of ploughing, drainage, storage
Results of tests conducted at site and laboratory are appended
of chemicals, use of machines, their understanding of government
in Table 1 for Scout Dyke reservoir and in Table 2 for Ingbirchworth
schemes and desire to participate voluntarily in stewardship
reservoir. Water Quality standards are appended in Table 3.
schemes in NVZs.
Table 1: Water samples test results-scout dyke compensatory reservoir.

Lab ID NH4_N N02N (N03N) PO4_P Temp pH DO Conductivity SS Alkalinity

mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L C° mg/L (µS/cm) mg/L
S1 0.01767 0.021 3.426 0.003 7.4 7.21 11.23 247 31.29 319.58
S2 0.01209 0.006 4.422 0.008 7 6.95 11.09 209.1 4.03 173.077
S3 0.01488 0 10.818 0.012 7.3 6.86 10.9 320 14.75 120.482
S4 0.0093 0.004 6.3451 0.044 7.1 7.41 11.39 342 4 198.473

Table 2: Water samples test results-ingbirchworth drinking water reservoir.

Lab ID NH4_N N02_N (N03N) PO4_P Temp pH DO Conductivity SS Alkalinity

mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L C° mg/L (µS/cm) mg/L
IB1 0.1767 0 4.797 0.013 7.3 6.88 10.56 326 0.8 288.462
IB2 0.1729 0 4.77 0.013 7.2 7.07 5.32 377 1.33 873.239
IB3 0.0046 0 9.612 0.006 7.2 5.5 9.56 216 0 49.7238
IB4 0.00558 0 10.269 0.009 7.3 5.56 10 294 0 44.8718
IB5 0.00744 0.003 9.528 0.005 7.1 6.54 11.25 302 0.67 111.765
IB6 0.01302 0.005 1.336 0.006 7.2 6.36 11.64 84.1 5.69 24.3902
1B7 0.01395 0.004 6.224 0.007 7 6.77 11.63 193.4 1.13 59.6026
IB8 0.00372 0 6.777 0.006 7.3 6.8 11.63 269 2.56 57.3248
IB9 0.01953 0 4.743 0.006 7.1 6.35 10.39 149.2 122.67 64.1026

Table 3: Water quality standards for chemicals and water side, whereas green colour results are in desirable limits. Following
characteristics [41-47]. can be inferred on comparison/ analysis of results with standard
freshwater limits for each chemical/ characteristic:
Chemicals/ Characteristic Standards
Ammonia
NH4_N <0.15mg/L
Ammonia is found in water due to fertilizers used for crops,
NO2_N <0.1mg/L
microbiological decay of animal and plant waste and domestic
NO3_N <11.3mg/L pollution from urban areas and farms. Its range is up-to 0.15mg/L
PO4_P <0.1mg/L [41,42]. All the samples results are well within the range except
first sampling site in Ingbirchworth “IB1” where there was a dump
pH 5.5-9
of decaying grass/ plant and second site “IB2” which is source of
DO 8-15mg/L underground water which is generally rich in ammonia due to
Conductivity 200-800µS/cm microbiological decay activity going underground.
Suspended Solids (SS) <25mg/L Nitrite nitrogen
Alkalinity 20-500mg/L
It is active but decomposable form of nitrogen which oxidise
Discussion/ Analysis quickly to nitrate. Its range is maximum up to 0.1mg/L in water
[41,42]. All the samples were found with nitrites much lesser than
The results show that the all the chemicals/ characteristics
this range with no significant impact on water quality.
of water streams feeding both Ingbirchworth and Scout dyke
reservoirs are well within the range which interpret a well-managed Nitrate nitrogen
catchment sensitive farming in adjacent areas from where water is It is the most stable form of nitrogen and influential part of
flowing into these reservoirs. However, results highlighted with red nutrients present in the water. Its source is mainly the fertilizers
are on higher side and need to be controlled, orange colour results used on the crops in catchment area. Nitrates come from surface
are moderately high and yellow colour results are slightly on higher drainage of arable land, decomposition of waste by aerobic

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1616

bacterial activity and lightening converts atmospheric oxygen into Suspended Solids SS
nitrates. High concentration of nitrates in water shows increased
Anything that retains on 0.45μm is called a suspended solid and
use of fertilizers having nitrates compounds and use of slurry/
passing through it as dissolved solids [46]. SS come from surface
manure as fertilizers on arable fields. Its limit is 11.3mg/L or 50mg
run off, soil, waste and wastewater and their recommended range
N/L [41,42]. All the samples were generally found within the limits,
is up to 25mg/L. All the samples have good range of SS except sites
however, Samples from third sampling site in Scout Dyke “S3” and
S1 in Scout Dyke and IB9 in Ingbirchworth reservoirs possibly due
sites IB3, IB 4 and IB 5 in Ingbirchworth have exhibited maximum
to over greasing on adjacent lands, less vegetable cover and fresh
presence of nitrates to the tune of 9 to 10mg/L suggesting the run-
tillage before a surface run off event.
off from heavily fertilized fields.
Alkalinity
Phosphate
It is the ability of water to neutralize acidity by the presence of
Phosphates are found in water as inorganic phosphorous
bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions. The minimum limit of
“P” or organic phosphates “PO4” more commonly in fertilizers,
Alkalinity is 20 to 500 CaCO3mg/l. Whereas all samples results are
detergents, wastewater, effluents, underground minerals [41,42].
varying from 24 to 320 except sample from IB2 having Alkalinity
Muller and Helsel (1996) have explained phosphate as a nutrient
of 873 which is the source of underground water to Ingbirchworth
required for aquatic plant and Algal growth. Its concentration
reservoir.
more than 0.020mg/L is considered Eutrophic (rich nutrients, less
DO, more plant growth and dangerous for aqua life), from 0.01 to Possible Catchment Management Strategies
0.02 is mesotrophic and less than 0.01 is oligotrophic [43-46]. As It is evident from the results/ analysis that presence of all
per results, the site S4 in Scout Dyke falls in Eutrophic region and kind of pollutants in a reservoir depends mainly on catchment
dangerous for Algal growth i.e., Blue Green Algae Blooms. Site S3 and areas. Therefore, catchment management with sensible farming
IB1 & IB2 in Ingbirchworth drinking reservoir fall in Mesotrophic techniques and proper control on Nitrate vulnerable zones in the
region and have medium risk of Blue green Algal blooms. Presence vicinity of a reservoir is an essential requirement. DEFRA in UK has
of Phosphates is linked with presence of more SS in water for its got a lead regulatory role in maintaining the Catchment sensitive
long duration persistence in water with less decomposition [47- farming. Although “Environmental Agency (EA)” and “Natural
49]. England” along with other NGOs and farmers are undertaking
concerted efforts to implement policy guidelines from “England
Temperature
Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI), “Diffuse
Temperature of all water samples was found to be 7 to 7.4 Water Pollution from Agriculture (DWPA)” to meet the EU WFD
centigrade which was a moderate temperature in winter months in [13]. Following are the suggested strategies to reduce water
UK at the time of sampling. pollution from agriculture and farmlands:
pH 1. Result oriented implementation of ECSFDI is essential for
+
It is the measure of count of H ions in water. pH 7 is neutral regulation of all catchments throughout UK by properly
and desirable, however pH range of 6.5 to 9 is considered normal employing advisory groups through increased interaction/
[45]. All the samples taken from the sites show good pH of 6.3 to awareness to farmers [37].
7.4 except samples from sites IB3 and IB4 which show moderately
2. Ample regulations (172 regulations/ act of parliament),
acidic pH values of around 5.5.
advisory groups and bodies (DEFRA) have been formed but
Dissolved Oxygen DO these should be implemented in simplified manner to the level
of farmer’s understanding by removing all complexities and
The DO test is an important aspect of water quality and presence
long procedures [13].
of aqua life. The minimum limit of DO is 8 to 15mg/L [45]. All samples
results are showing good quantity of DO from 9.5 to 11.6mg/L 3. Maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks policy with
except sample from IB2 having DO of 5.32mg/L near to dead stick and carrot methodology can be a good strategy to gain
level which is the source of underground water to Ingbirchworth results from DEFRA regulations in Catchment Sensitive
reservoir. All samples result of Scout Dyke reservoir are good and Farming (CSF) and nitrate-controlled agriculture zones.
show good treatment of wastewater by recently installed treatment
4. Mutually beneficial outcome-based strategies should be
plant before leaving the water into compensatory reservoir.
preferred on forced managed based policies to increase the
Conductivity voluntary contribution by farmers/ stake holders.
The conductivity of water shows its ability of passing through 5. Supportive/ collaborative approach of regulators with less
the electric current through number of ions present in water punitive measures instead of forced implementation is likely
due to dissolved salts and inorganic materials. Standard range to generate better results among the farmers.
of conductivity is 200-800μS/cm [45,46]. All the samples have
conductivity well within the range. 6. Maintaining a buffer zones (non-cultivated strips) of 1 to 6m

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 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1617

along water streams to separate the cultivated land is highly 6. Employment of enhanced inspection staff for increased field
recommended as it can serve as an absorption filter to prevent visits/ inspections by DEFRA will cause more expenditure to
direct entry of pollutants into the water. exchequer and will increase unrest in farmers.

7. Improvement of land cover/ loose soil protection should be Conclusion

ensured by proper compaction, post-harvest field erosion,
Ingbirchworth catchment area is one of the associate catchments
farming in waterlogged land, maintenance of good slope and
projects for CSF started since September 2006. A considerable
prevention of over grazing. This can ensure less transportation
control on pollution by nutrients and SS have been recorded
of suspended solids into the water.
since inception of the programme but presence of pollutants/
8. Keeping the fertilizers, slurry and manure under roof and use nutrients on higher limits at certain places is still alarming. The
of injection methods instead of spray method of fertilizer’s implementation of steward scheme and catchment sensitive
application to avoid spillage. Low level spray machines to farming in Ingbirchworth reservoir catchment areas have attained
spray only approved fertilizers/chemicals preferably organic partial success since 2006 as studied by Kay [36] from 2006-2009.
materials on crops only. The results in this study also show significant betterment in almost
9. Mix animals farms to be preferred to avoid damage to land. all fields though at places, results on the higher limit side have been
Pigs farm result into more damage to farmlands than sheep detected especially Nitrate N nearing to 11.3mg/L limit showing
farming. use of fertilizers, dissolved oxygen lowering less than 8mg/L
showing Eutrophication process resulting into low oxygen level
10. Treatment of animal/ human wastage, sewage and urban dangerous for aqua life. Similarly, suspended solids have also been
wastage before they get mixed with water should be ensured. noticed at some places exceeding the top limit of 25mg/L showing
11. Transformation of arable land to low impact animal farmland drained water carrying soil particles from uncovered land surface.
is a better strategy (if feasible basing on national demand/ However, a lot is required to be done to control the use of fertilizers
production) to reduce impact of agriculture/ fertilizers on a as per the desired standards and methodology of application. It
reservoir. can be inferred from beautiful green grazing fields and arable
land in the catchment areas in UK that excessive use of fertilizers,
12. Implementation of reforms of common agriculture policy slurry and other farming techniques are still in place with full
2005 by complying to Cross Compliance subsidies basing on swing. Because of these mal practices, of more than 4600 water
production, Entry level schemes and higher-level scheme of bodies and 3700 rivers in UK, only 16% have achieved good status
farmers participation [37]. and 63% have got moderate results of achieving water quality
Advantage/Disadvantage of Implementation of Catch- standards [50,51]. There is a need to implement the regulations
in fullest capacity by employing production-based result oriented,
ment Sensitive Farming collaborative technical/ financial support to those farmers who
Advantages voluntarily implement CSF programme while using stringent
measures against the defaulters in UK as this is pre-requisite
1. Reduced water pollution to water reservoir resulting in lesser
for preservation of clean water for present/future generations/
risks of epidemics and diseases.
species. There have been numerous catchment management
2. Reduced cost on purification of drinking water by water plans under EA and all the water companies in UK, but all these
companies. schemes have achieved partial success. The main framework of any
catchment management strategy should encompass good planning,
3. Land protection from damages.
wilful participation, strenuous execution, long term sustainability,
4. Improved land cover. wholistic consideration of all factors in all sub catchments, rigorous
monitoring and reporting with rewards/ punitive measure. To
5. Increased financial benefits to well-regulated farmers.
achieve gross efficiency/ success of these schemes, it would be
Disadvantages imperative to have voluntary public participation, target oriented
1. Decreased output of farms. incentives/ funding by all stakeholders, preservation of natural
habitat/ river courses and carrying out more recorded studies with
2. Loss to farmers profit. scientific interventions/ farm advisories to detect/ control all kind
3. Complexities in farming business in implementation of of pollutants entering the water streams.
different techniques.
Acknowledgement
4. Punitive measures on farmers on non-compliance.
This research was carried out with the help of teaching/
5. Dissatisfied farmers due to less profit, reduced production and laboratory staff and students at University of Leeds and staff in
restrictions on free farming practices. Ingbirchworth farm/ reservoir and Scout Dyke reservoir.

Res Dev Material Sci Copyright © Ash Ahmed

 RDMS.000848. 14(5).2021 1618

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