Agricultural pollution 'increases cost of producing clean water'

Run-off from agricultural land is having a significant impact on our waterways, it has been claimed.

Helen Perkins, Water for Wildlife project manager for the Wildlife Trust, noted that slurry, manure and pesticides have a negative affect on humans and animals.

"Increased levels of soils and sediments can raise the risk of flooding. Higher levels of nutrients such as nitrogen can cause oxygen depletion in water, which impacts on river ecosystems and damages plant, insect and fish communities," she commented.

Ms Perkins claimed that diffuse pollution can also affect drinking water supplies and increase the cost of cleaning and producing it.

She added that the Wildlife Trust is currently involved in several initiatives, including the Pumlumon Project in Wales, which aims to reduce the impact of agricultural run-off.

Meanwhile, it was reported last week that Newcastle University is set to play a key role in a new £2 million project that aims to find new ways of cleaning up British rivers.

Written by Joseph Hutton