1. Diffuse Sources of Water Pollution: the Need to Share Experiences Amsterdam 28/29 th May 2008 Diffuse Pollution from Listed Substances Experience in England and Wales John Batty

2. Introduction  Focus will be on diffuse pollution from listed substances  These have been identified as presenting risks in catchments in England and Wales  Substances include:  Metals  Pesticides  Sheep dip  Organic chemicals  Some surprises that may require a revision to conventional approaches

3. Starting Point  The UK approach on dealing with diffuse sources was not fully developed until it became clear that no additional measures were contained in Priority Substances Directive  The proposed approach advocates a mix of voluntary and mandatory controls as appropriate  Review of progress under WFD should provide a mechanism to demonstrate whether additional measures are required

4. River Basin Districts 11 River Basin Districts 1 shared with Scotland Boards have been established for all Issues reports consulted last year

5. Significant Water Management Issues  Precursor to River Basin Plans  Prepared for each RBD  Identify the major threats to water quality  Consultation in 2007 see link below http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterquality/955573/1001324/1321809/1603386/1954818/?lang=_e

6. Risks from Rural Diffuse Sources Rivers by length 98% 81% 12% 50% ? 26% ? ? 80% ? Main chemical problems are: Pesticides: (Amenity and agricultural) Plant protection products Sheep Dip BUT these percentages include all diffuse sources including nutrients

7. Risks from Urban Diffuse Sources Rivers by length 15% 2% 25% 20% ? 15% ? 14% 7% 8% Main chemical problems are from: Urban run-off and Transport Amenity pesticides Metals

8. Diffuse Sources  Main focus in UK has been nutrients where phosphorus is the main problem  Widespread risk of failure  Thousands of water bodies at risk  Single biggest issue in most RBDs  Attention paid to pollution from listed substances may therefore have a lower profile

9. DEFRA Approach URBAN  NADWP Group established  Focus on Options for Controls on Phosphates in Domestic Laundry Cleaning Products in England http://www.defra.gov.uk/ corporate/consult/phosp hates/ Sustainable Drainage Misconnections General Binding Rules RURAL - two tier approach 1) Voluntary  Catchment Sensitive Farming  Voluntary Initiative (VI) voluntary approach with farmers and agronomists on pesticides management 2) Mandatory  Water Protection Zones  Approach adopted where voluntary approach has failed to secure appropriate levels of improvement

10. REACH  REACH Regulation comes into force in June and provides EU framework legislation for management, control and use of chemicals  Effective REACH enforcement vital in helping to control diffuse pollution and meet WFD objectives  Environment Agency has developed a highly targeted, risk-based enforcement methodology  The effectiveness of this approach will be enhanced by: - 1) putting significant effort into the provision of information to help people comply 2) intelligence gathering to target areas of potential non-compliance, and only then 3) remote or on the ground inspection.

11. Minewaters  5 RBDs at risk  Metal and Coal mines Northumbrian RBD ~ 7% of rivers at risk West Wales RBD ~ 12% of rivers at risk South West RBD ~ metal mines identified as a specific risk

12. Coal Mining  Few remaining active mines  Coal Authority responsible for remediation in abandoned coalfields  Well developed re- mediation programme  Multi Million Euro Investment - many major improvements since ’90s

13. Metal Mining  No Competent Authority  No clear mechanism for remediation  Case by case appraisal  Particular problems in Wales and South West RBDs

14. Prioritising Metal Failures  For 1 st RBMP we will maintain 76/464/EEC standards and associated compliance regime for Copper and Zinc  We will trial recently developed Biotic Ligand Models for these metals as a means to identify failures where the bio-available fraction presents a risk to ecological status  This approach should help to ensure that we deal with the problems that constitute a significant risk to ecological quality first!

15. Waste Water Treatment  Usually thought of as a point source problem BUT Waste Water Treatment plants act as a collector for many diffuse sources  Domestic household drainage may contain BDEs, DEHP, metals etc.  Not easily removed without additional treatment  UK Water Industry has undertaken extensive R&D  Industry concerns are that:  these problems may cause widespread failure  they cannot refuse to accept domestic drainage into their systems under existing legislation The dilemma Treat out or eliminate at source Both options are challenging, potentially expensive and slow to deliver

16. Pesticides  Chart reflects targeted monitoring at six sites in catchment sensitive farming areas in England – all agricultural catchments  However relatively few waters fail for pesticides that will still be in use after 2009 – For example Diuron and IPU will not be licensed in UK after 2009

17. Sheep dip Monitoring in 2006 identified 64 river sites with cypermethrin EQS failures Cypermethrin products were suspended in Feb 2006 Pollution Reduction Programme launched in Aug 2006 Sheep Dip Steering Group Action Plan Further investigational monitoring R&D to understand exposure routes on farms Stop Every Drop Campaign Options appraisal study and further costings work

18. Pollution Reduction Plans Substances 33 PHS/PS Substances 5 Specific Pollutant Pesticides  2,4-D (ester and non ester)  Cypermethrin  Mecoprop  Linuron  Dimethoate Timetable  Challenging!  Drafts for informal consultation – March 08  Formal Consultation December 08  Formal Approval Defra/WAG December 09  Contractor to develop plans for cadmium, mercury, all PAHs, DEHP, lead, nickel)

19. Pollution Reduction Plans Content Objectives Production and Use Source apportionment Environment and release data Controls Economics Evaluation of options Action Plan Discussion Issues  Data gaps!  Important consideration is the compilation of reliable source apportionment

20. PRPs Source Apportionment Cadmium Sources in kg/year

21. Summary  Diffuse source pollution in England and Wales is dominated by nutrient issues rather than polluting substances  Delays to PSDD and the absence of additional EU measures delayed domestic consideration  However a number of parallel initiatives in both rural and urban environments have now been developed to help meet our obligations  Hybrid strategy advocated with potential for both voluntary and mandatory elements as appropriate  Data shortfalls may mean that full extent of some problems may not be realised - Pan- European problem?  Review /reporting arrangements under WFD should be used to identify cases where additional measures may be necessary

22. Thanks for your attention