Enhanced by citizen science data, the Environment Agency is using water quality monitoring activity to prioritise how and where to tackle phosphate pollution on the River Wye. A press release from the Environment Agency states:

‘The Wye catchment is an iconic location and hugely important for biodiversity, principally due to the wide range of rare river wildlife. Over 60% of the phosphate load in the catchment is from diffuse agricultural pollution from livestock manure and nutrients washing into the river during heavy rain.

A range of partners through the Wye Nutrient Management Board, including the Environment Agency, Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, are working collaboratively to address concerns about phosphate levels in the catchment and drive forward nature recovery.

Based on the latest water quality monitoring report, which has been enhanced by new data obtained by an ongoing citizen science monitoring programme, the Environment Agency has made a series of recommendations on where actions are most needed and the locations across the catchment where those actions can have the most impact.

This includes a recommendation that partners take a catchment-based approach targeting 5 upstream areas of the river that have high phosphate levels relative to the wider catchment.

Evidence also indicates that efforts to increase shade by tree planting and better management of riparian trees could help mitigate high temperatures. The Environment Agency is developing an algal bloom early warning system to respond to excessive temperatures, with advice for anglers and river users.

The latest water quality monitoring report, along with analysis, activities and plans to improve water quality in the Wye and Lugg river catchments, can be found on the Environment Agency’s recently launched Wye Water Monitoring webpage.’

The full piece from the Environment Agency can be read here.