5. Reducing Metaldehyde Pollution
Theme: Quality
Objective:
- To achieve water quality that is good enough to support a healthy aquatic ecology
Project description
Thames Water are working with local landowners and farmers to reduce the amount of Metaldehyde pollution found in the River Stort and catchment groundwaters.
Metaldehyde is a product commonly used in pesticides like slug-control pellets. Not only does this chemical negatively impact wildlife, it also causes long-lasting pollution in rivers, waterways and drinking water sources.
Following a monitoring programme investigating metaldehyde concentrations at 55 sites, a number of locations of particular concern were pinpointed for intervention across the Stort Valley.
Thames Water set up a "Payment for Ecosystem Services" scheme in 2018 which aims to pay land managers and farmers for reductions in the amount of Metaldehyde pollution recorded at monitoring sites.
The benefits of the scheme are a reduction in pollution entering rivers and groundwater sources,an improvement in water quality and reduced pressure on water treatment facilities Thames Water operate throughout the catchment.
For more information about the project and how you can get involved please read this document.
Project lead: Thames Water
Funding source: Thames Water
Project start: 2014
Project end: 2020
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
