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UK Water Issues

kiwibird

kiwibird

Editor, Senior Moderator
Despite recent improvements in sewage treatment, the proportion of phosphorus in English rivers has remained relatively constant over the last ten years. Addressing diffuse pollution from agriculture is the single biggest future challenge for improving water quality. [18]

Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive about 10,800 km of river lengths in the UK are designated as Sensitive Areas (Eutrophic). The Nitrates Directive [8] provides for the prevention of agricultural nitrate pollution through the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, which were significantly increased during 2002. In recent years, there has been evidence of blue-green algal blooms at over two thousand different standing water sites such as lakes. To address the associated risks and impacts of eutrophication, the Environment Agency published a national eutrophication strategy [9] in 2000. Proposals for a strategy to control nutrient enrichment of Northern Ireland were published in 1999.
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http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/inlwater/iwnutrient.htm


3.2.5 Total oxidised nitrogen
Patterns of change in the majority of the physical, chemical and algal factors
considered in this report, can vary considerably from year to year. However, the
seasonal pattern of change in NO3.N/TON levels tends to be much the same each
year - even if the concentration maxima and minima differ. For example, the annual
minimum TON value of 0.02 mg N l-1 recorded on 3 August 2000 (Figure 8)
compares very closely with the minimum value of 0.05 mg N l-1 recorded on 1 August
1999. There is, however, one major difference between these years. Whilst the first
sample taken in 2000 yielded a concentration of approximately 2.5 mg N l-1, the
equivalent for 1999 was only 1.2 mg N l-1.
As outlined by Bailey-Watts and Kirika (2000), the timing and magnitude of the
annual summer draw-down in nitrate depends on the temperature at the sediment
water interface. In Loch Leven, this is usually very similar to that of the surface
water. Nitrate draw-down accelerates with rising temperatures due, primarily, to
enhanced bacterial de-nitrification and consequent reducing (anoxic) conditions at
the sediment surface. This results in a lack of nitrate in the water column which,
together with reducing conditions, often triggers a release of soluble inorganic
phosphorus from the sediments. Such conditions can then promote the production of
N-fixing cyanobacteria such as Anabaena spp. Figures 1 and
phosphorous increases in water once nitrate levels drop - around August in Tayside.
Click to expand...

The majority of ground water in the Tay area that is not achieving good chemical status is failing due to the presence of high levels of nitrates in the groundwater. Nitrate in groundwater is a naturally occurring substance, but the impact ofhuman activities such as excessive application of fertilisers and animal slurries can artificially increase levels. An important element of the nitrates classification in the Tay area is the impact of groundwater, at a catchment scale,affecting the Dundee coastal area as well as Angus and North Fife[/QUOTE]
http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publicati...ts/f99lh08.pdf

Nitrate levels increase during the winter because plants do not grow and utilise the nitrates. Droughts increase the concentration during summer and high winter rainfall washes the fertilisers off of farmland and into the water. Tayside and most of Scotland rely on surface bodies of water for drinking water. In drought years these often have increased amounts of bacteria.

During the first wave of A/H1N1 Tayside had an ongoing and elevated level of cases.
 
Re: UK Water Issues

How can I find out where my water comes from ? I'm not anywhere near Tayside but this discussion just got me wondering ! :D
 
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