Drips and spills in yards contribute up to 40% of the pesticides that reach ground and surface water.
Our advisors work with farmers to ensure that pesticides are handled in fields or on purpose built areas which drain to a biobed or biofilter, thus avoiding contamination of streams and rivers.
Responsible use in the field is also important. Buffer strips help to protect watercourses, whilst choosing ferric phosphate-based slug pellets rather than metaldehyde reduces the risk of compromising downstream abstraction points for our drinking water.
Gaining the support of farmers is crucial for our Catchment Advisors. It is the first step in ensuring that any measures they recommend to improve rivers are taken up.(...)