31/08/10
A new-old approach to monitoring and control of rural diffuse pollution pioneered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency deserves the attention it has generated.
SEPA's innovative - some may say old-fashioned - mitigation strategy is based on 'watery walks' taken by priority catchment officers along rivers and burns to identify sources of pollution in the form of nutrients, bacteria, pathogens and chemicals.
This is followed up on the ground by work with farmers and landowners to raise awareness of the impacts of their activities on water supplies, river quality and bathing beaches. So far 2,500km have been walked and 1,200 examples of bad practice identified.
This collaborative approach addresses the double bind of diffuse pollution: to find out who is responsible and encourage them to take action.
Walking the talk to better rural water quality
Water UK press release
Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for the Borders
SEPA news release
Contact: Bryan Wallis
