Results from data collected by researchers who are modelling phosphorus (P) levels in the River Wye catchment indicate it is four times higher in the soils of the Wye Catchment than average for the UK and is causing poor water quality. This is very important news. They are advising the government on this and have concluded that major changes in farming practise is necessary. This includes the urgent need to stop spreading P fertiliser by 80% for poultry manure and 50% for cattle manure in the Wye catchment. Radical solutions to the problem need to be sought as a matter of urgency to avoid further degradation and complete loss of the river ecosystem.
An army of trained citizen scientists have been galvanised into action and now are monitoring the River Wye catchment. Four citizen science groups have collected over 4,000 samples in more than 267 sites during 2021. Working with the Environment Agency and Natural Resource Wales these groups are providing essential data, that one might expect to be gathered by government agencies. The data is being analysed by environmental scientists in the University of Cardiff.
The good news is that government agencies are now utilising data collected by citizen scientists. However, we continue to rely on these agencies to follow up anomalies, investigate the source, enforce the current laws and protect the river. The Wye is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The latest Environment Audit Committee report, using the Wye as a Case Study, recommends:
· annual chemical assessment of soils in sensitive river catchments
· new DEFRA guidance on all intensive animal farming developments based on the nutrient balance of each river catchment
· increased agency monitoring of the sensitive river catchments.
It notes the potential to reduce nutrient levels by transporting waste out of catchment, treating it in anaerobic digestors, reducing phosphorous in feedstocks and reducing livestock levels. The Wye Catchment Partnership reports 250 farms (est. 10% of Herefordshire farms) have signed up for an audit of nutrient levels in feedstocks and soils. This is the first step in large scale nutrient reduction. However, it may be too little too late if left to self-regulation.