West Wales Rivers Trust have extensive knowledge of our rural and urban catchments and the on-the-ground land use pressures impacting on them. We also rely heavily on recent Source Apportionment modelling data which quantifies the Phosphorus pressures from each sector on our SAC rivers and therefore the priority actions needed – whether they be with the sewage network, agricultural sector, industry, private septic tanks or others.
Where issues are minor and easily addressed on the ground, we work with landowners to make these changes. For example, in rural catchments, we deliver land management advice and on-farm measures to minimise pollutant loss from farms while maximising efficiency & enhancing ecological health.
Land management advice and on-farm measures can minimise loss of pollutants from farms while at the same time maximising efficiency to increase yields and save costs. We work with farmers to recommend the best options for their circumstances.
See examples of good on-farm practice compared to on-farm concerns in the illustration below.
However, to achieve adequate water quality, we need Natural Resources Wales to be an efficient regulator and for companies such as Welsh Water, and farmers and land managers to be accountable for minimising their impacts on our rivers. To help work towards this, West Wales Rivers Trust and our umbrella trust Afonydd Cymru, regularly meet with Welsh Government, respond to consultations or write open letters of concern to try and influence delivery and policy changes.