Phoshate and sediments: Task and Finish Group Meeting.

Rivers House, Bridgwater.

22 March 2012

Action Notes:

Attendees:

James Grischeff (JG), Jane Youdan (JY), Roy Hayes (RH), Louise Webb (LW), Naomi Dixon (ND), and Jeremy Taylor (JT action notes).

Background:At a workshop in February 2012, the Upper Tone steering group identified the priority issue it wants to address in the catchment.

Phoshate and sediment levels are reduced enabling good ecological status to be met throughout the catchment.

Evidence suggests that several waterbodies in the catchment are failing to reach good ecological status because of phosphate and related sediment issues. These are Tone - Wellington to Taunton, Haywards Water and Hele Brook.

A task and finish group was set up and met on 22 March to discuss the issue and develop a plan of action. The group currently consists of the following individuals:

James Grischeff (Natural England), Jane Youdan (Wessex Water), Roy Hayes (Catchment Sensitive Farming), Louise Webb (Catchment Sensitive Farming), Naomi Dixon (Environment Agency), and Jeremy Taylor (Environment Agency).

The task and finish group agreed several actions it felt were necessary to provide clarity and help us more fully understand the issues:

  1. Evidence:The most up to date evidence needs to be collated and reviewed. This will involve the Environment Agency updating and reviewing the Upper Tone Waterbody Implementation Plan (WIP). This has been programmed in to be delivered in May 2012.Once we know the current status of waterbodies in the catchment, we will be in a much better position to develop an action plan with SMART and targeted actions. Deadline:End of May 2012. EA (ND)
  2. SIMCAT new version: Will the Tone data be updated using the new version and include things like source apportionment for septic tanks etc. Ask Neil Murdoch/ Sharon May.Deadline:End of April 2012. EA (JT)
  3. The story so far:Each organisation involved in the task and finish group agreed to pull together an overview of work it has carried out in the catchment to date, with examples of good practice and successes. This will enable us to show others, including potential partners what we and others (Farmers etc) have already delivered and help us to encourage others to help us to build on those successes.Also identify any “gaps”. Deadline: End of May 2012. ALL
  4. Conceptual Model: It was decided that a conceptual model (Picture to tell a story) of the catchment would be a useful tool to help explain the issues to a variety of potential audiences. EA to draft one and look into options for getting it produced. Deadline: End of May 2012. EA (JT/ND)
  5. Robust trend analysis: We need to be able to model potential measures and outcomes to help decide what we should and can deliver and achieve. LW to ask Chris Burgess to see if he can run the catchment change model to tests the predicted effect of the measures recommended through CSF work.Deadline: End of May.CSF(LW)
  6. Subprojects: It was agreed that a list of “subprojects” should be identified as our understanding evolves. (JY suggested that we think big and include ideas that may or may not be deliverable due to costs etc as that freedom might lead to other more deliverable options or ideas). Deadline: Ongoing: All
  1. Other things to consider: Talk to Exeter University and Des Walling about his work on Sediments in the catchment. Deadline: End of April: EA (JT)
  1. Other Impacts: Agreed that we should assess the impact of other sources including: Land drains/ Tourism/ Pubs/ Hotels/ Motorway/ Railways. Chase up Helen Todd re discussions with Network Rail. Deadline: End of March: EA (JT)
  1. Failing septic tanks: EA inform council who inform Wessex Water? JY to check the process. Deadline: End of March: WW (JY). Chase TDBC to see what info they might have regarding septic tanks. Deadline: End of March: EA (JT).
  1. Resources: Discuss and secure EA resources to provide and interpret data with Area Environment Managers and WFD and A&R Team Leaders. Deadline: End of March: EA (JT)

Sub Projects for consideration and further discussion:

  • Septic tank/ misconnections awareness leaflets campaign. Schools, parish councils.
  • Impact of septic tanks. When did we stop licensing etc. What do we know?
  • Campaign to make people aware that they live in a catchment, and get them to understand what happens to their water and how their actions impact either positively or negatively. (Leaflets, posters, conceptual model?)
  • Approach Network Rail nationally and have discussions around “Eco Loos” idea to reduce impact of Phosphates in rivers.
  • Getting local schools involved so developing something that links effectively to the national curriculum and the eco schools award. This could include education around the full range of potential sources of phosphate and possibly nitrate as well but focus in on the relevant areasand sources there.
  • Some project work involving stream walks and identification of weeds / algae and provision of EA data or loan of hand held Phosphate test kit? Someone may have done this already? But overall aim is education of the whole family on misconnections, improvements to private drainage etc.

Circulation: Attendees, other Forum members, plus Neil Murdoch, Sharon May