The Water Framework Directive and the Catchment Based Approach in your area

Dr Nicola Robinson Catchment Co-ordinator Suffolk

Contents

Introduction to the Water Framework Directive

Catchment Based Approach

Key pressures in the Stour catchment

Implementing Water Framework Directive

Key Actions for Farmers - what you can do to help

WIYBY for Farmers

Water Framework Directive - background

11 River Basins

Objective – to improve overall health of water environment by 2027

New Classification System - key aspects:

Biology

Chemical quality (surface & ground waters)

Quantity (surface & ground waters) – ‘hydrology’

Physical structure – ‘morphology’

Considered for each ‘water body’ type – rivers, lakes,

estuaries, coastal waters and ground waters

An Ecology Based Directive

To achieve WFD objectives

Improving rural land management

Reducing the impact of transport and built environments

Addressing point and diffuse sources of pollution

Securing sustainable amounts of water

Improving wildlife habitats

some farming

practices

Drinking water

quality

Invasive

signal

crayfish

Phosphate from

treated sewage

discharges

nutrient runoff

surface water

sewer abuse

Amenity use

of pesticides

Barrier to fish passage

Typical Pressures on water

environment

Poor

morphology

Invasive fish

species

Low flow/over

abstraction

invasive

Himalayan

balsam

Catchment Approach

Working together to understand the issues

Discussing and agreeing on outcomes and priorities

Sharing information and resources

Working together to tackle difficult issues

Working collaboratively to deliver work on the ground that

improves the catchment

WFD Management

Catchments

Stour Key Issues

UNCLASSIFIED 9

Physical modifications - fish barriers & unsuitable habitat

Pesticides

Phosphate & Sediment

Nitrate

Physical Modification

Pesticides

Phosphate & Sediment

UNCLASSIFIED 12

Nitrate

UNCLASSIFIED 13

Implementing WFD Improvements

UNCLASSIFIED 14

Working in partnership with Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Partnership

River Stour Project Officer – Matt Holden

i) Catchment restoration projects

ii) Strategic control of invasive non-native species

iii) Community engagement

How you can help

UNCLASSIFIED 21

Lots of work to be done, this is the start of the process

Opportunities to get involved with new Catchment

Partnerships

River Stour –Matt Holden, Stour Valley and Dedham

Vale Project

Opportunities for change

Bullet point Sub point

Protecting watercourses

Stock husbandry

Soil management

Pesticide use

Land use

Nutrient and manure management

Farm infrastructure

Field drainage

Water efficiency

Riparian management

What’s in Your Back Yard

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby

Key Actions - Summary Know your local catchment and water quality issues –

WIYBY

Support the Catchment Based Approach

Get involved in partnerships; CSF, E&S Rivers Trust,

ESW

Protect your resources; managing your soil and land

sustainably

Talk to us about opportunities to improve the local

water environment