Action needed to fix Somerset Levels and Moors’ phosphate level

Natural England has downgraded the environmental condition of the Somerset Levels and Moors Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) due to water quality issues.

Natural England and Environment Agency

‘Published 2 June 2021 – Phosphates are causing algal blooms in the Somerset Levels, like Tealham SSSI This decision to change the condition to ‘unfavourable declining’ follows water quality monitoring that revealed that phosphate levels are three times higher than they should be, causing biological harm and producing algae and duckweed that is harmful to wildlife.

The primary sources of phosphates are from agricultural activities and water industry discharges at locations like waste water treatment works. Significant investment has already been committed by the water industry and plans are being developed to prevent further inputs from new development.

Natural England will now work with those who can reduce the level of phosphate, including Wessex Water, the Environment Agency, landowners and farmers and wider stakeholders, to put solutions in place that will aid nature’s recovery and improve the natural environment for local people and visitors to enjoy. This will include:

• further investment by Wessex Water up to £57m to reduce discharge from water treatment works by 2024
• regulatory enforcement and advisory visits to improve agricultural compliance and provide advice to farmers and landowners
• new and innovative solutions which will allow landowners to be appropriately rewarded for the ecosystem services they provide’.

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