Farm Business Update 2014 presentation of Environment Agency taken from the Essex YFC Event.

1. The Water Framework Directive
and the Catchment Based
Approach in your area
Michael Neale
Catchment Co-ordinator Essex

2. Contents
 Introduction to the Water Framework Directive
 Catchment Based Approach
 Key pressures in the Essex catchments
 Implementing Water Framework Directive
 Key Actions for Farmers - what you can do to help
 WIYBY for Farmers

3. So what is WFD and what does it hope to
achieve?
European Directive, became part of UK law in December 2003,
focusing on ecology.
Integrated Approach to Catchment Management
Aim: Good ecological health for all waterbodies
Good Ecological Status

4. 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

5. Water Framework Directive - background
 11 River Basins
 Objective – to improve
overall health of water
environment by 2027

6. WFD objectives
Improving land management
More naturally functioning
rivers
Cleaner water for drinking,
recreation and economic use
A reduction in pollution
Sustainable use of water

7. 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

8. Catchment Based 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

9. WFD Management
Catchments

10. Essex Rivers - Key Issues
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Physical modifications - fish barriers & unsuitable habitat
Phosphate & Sediment
Abstraction/Low Flow
Nitrate
Pesticides

11. Physical Modification

12. Physical Modification

13. Watercourse maintenance & habitat
creation

14. Phosphate & Sediment

15. Phosphate & Sediment
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16. Pesticides

17. Nitrate
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19. How you can help
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 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
 South Essex Project Officer – Jane Herbert, Essex
Wildlife Trust

20. UNCLASSIFIED 20
Keep soil in your field
Fords & tracks near
water
Silt traps
Keep livestock out of
water

21. What’s in Your Back Yard
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby

22. Essex Rivers Hub
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23. Key Actions - Summary
 Know your local catchment and water quality issues –
WIYBY
 Support the Catchment Based Approach
Get involved in partnerships; CSF, Essex Wildlife Trust,
E&S Rivers Trust, Thames Chase Trust, ESW
 Protect your resources; managing your soil and land
sustainably
 Talk to us about opportunities to improve the local
water environment

24. Thank you
Any Questions?
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