the CSF water quality monitoring programme
WRc analysis reveals water quality benefits of the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Project for the Environment Agency.
More on our Catchment Management servicesthe CSF water quality monitoring programme
continued funding for the CSF Project
national policy on rural diffuse pollution
The Environment Agency (EA) provides a variety of voluntary and grant-funded measures implemented on farms across the country in order to reduce run-off of pollutants including nitrate, phosphate, sediment and pesticides. The Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Project is a flagship advice scheme in England designed to tackle water pollution from agriculture. Measuring the effectiveness of this work is vital to ensure the CSF Project can be adapted and targeted to achieve maximum impact.
Since the EA initiated the project 2006, WRc’s Catchment Management team has assisted in determining whether CSF has achieved its objectives of raising farmer awareness, reducing pollution, and improving environmental quality. Our team capitalised on advanced statistical and GIS routines to link mitigation measures in target catchments to changes in chemical concentrations and ecological indices.
WRc has demonstrated that actions to reduce water pollution from agriculture can have a positive impact on river water quality and a knock-on benefit for invertebrate life. As a result of studies by WRc, CSF is now an integral part of Defra’s strategy for delivering Countryside Stewardship and meeting Water Framework Directive targets.
the CSF water quality monitoring programme
continued funding for the CSF Project
national policy on rural diffuse pollution
Environment Agency