Models describing the relative contributions of phosphorus (P) from different sources to water bodies (source apportionment) are key tools in determining priorities for mitigation strategies within the River Basin Management Planning process under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Previous source apportionment was simplistic because it was based on total P loads, even though not all P loading has the same ecological significance due to the form or timing of the loading.
Models describing the relative contributions of phosphorus (P) from different sources to water bodies (source apportionment) are key tools in determining priorities for mitigation strategies within the River Basin Management Planning process under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). SEPA have made use of a Diffuse Pollution Screening Tool (DSPT) for quantifying and reporting source apportionment within catchments. However, this methodology is simplistic.
Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), the majority of which are septic tanks, are a contributing factor to phosphorus and faecal microbial loads. OWTS contribute to waterbodies failing to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives and as such, measures to improve the quality of OWTS discharges are required. Literature has been reviewed for a range of measures designed to reduce phosphorus and pathogen concentrations in effluent from OWTS. A feasibility assessment focussed on their application, effectiveness, efficiency, cost and ease of adaptation.
This project set out to explore the possibility of producing a set of four risk maps that could be used to determine the risk of diffuse pollution occurring within Scottish agricultural catchments. The key soil-based factors likely to affect water quality were deemed to be:
• Sediment and pollutants being transported to water bodies by erosion events
• Compaction, which reduces infiltration and may exacerbate run-off
• Surface run-off
• Leaching of potential pollutants
The European Commission published a new Directive under the Euratom Treaty (Council Directive 2013/51/Euratom, hereafter reported as the Directive) laying down requirements for the concentrations of radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. As part of an on-going review of the implications of the Directive for Scotland, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator commissioned CREW to collate evidence on the presence of radon in drinking water and, create a map of ‘areas of likely high exposure’.
We have recently witnessed some of the worst flooding in living memory in Scotland. We know from previous research (2007 Werritty et al) that the impacts on people’s lives can be devastating and long term. It is essential that we understand these impacts better and consider what types of support and advice people and communities need at different stages of a long term recovery.
Soil cultivation, manure / fertiliser applications and chemical spraying can all contribute to diffuse pollution from agricultural land. Rainfall runoff from farm roads, tracks, yards and dusty roofs are also potential sources of diffuse pollution. Whilst many changes in farming practice have dealt with these sources of pollution there still remains instances where small amounts escape from a farmyard into a nearby ditch or where sediment laden overland field flows make their way into a ditch or burn, river or natural wetland and finally the sea.
Small scale and rural water supplies present well-recognised problems to policymakers, regulators, service providers, communities and water users, all over the world.
This report provides a review and analysis of information on the passage by fish at wooden obstacles (woody placements), used for flood management, in Scotland.
As Scotland’s flood warning authority under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, and in undertaking Civil Contingencies Act 2004 Category 1 duties, SEPA produced a Flood Warning Strategy (2012-16) to help deliver a strategic vision of the flood warning service. Specifically the service vision is:
