We are proud to provide a sustainable, affordable, clean and safe water supply and to manage and treat the waste water returned to us in a way that protects the environment.
The Selset (Lartington) Pesticides Project was instigated in 2005 in response to the detection of a specific pesticide (MCPA) in 2004 in the catchment of Selset Reservoir in Teesdale. ADAS were engaged, by Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL), to undertake a catchment investigation which involved visiting the farmers and land managers in the catchment of Selset Reservoir and undertaking a survey of their land management practices and pesticide use.
The investigation was followed up by two workshops, in which farmers and landowners were invited to discuss the issues and possible solutions with NWL, National England and the Environment Agency.
A guidance leaflet called ‘The Selset Reservoir and Pesticide Users’ was produced and circulated. This leaflet gave a background to pesticides in the Selset catchment and advice on storage and when and were to apply pesticides to fields, highlighting high risk areas. The leaflet also provided links to the Voluntary Initiative, Amenity and The Green Code. NWL also offered tours of Lartington Treatment Works and further advice on pesticides and soil management options.
High risk areas within the catchment are continually monitored.
This project was set up to tackle the specific issue of pesticides from the catchment entering reservoirs used to supply drinking water, it was run and managed by ADAS. It was originally part of the Voluntary Initiative for pesticides, but was expanded beyond this base.
Parties involved in the project include Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL), ADAS, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, Crop Protection Agency and Newcastle University.
The project focused on:
• Implementing a plan to improve water quality and generate other benefits.
• Encourage the uptake of the Entry Level Scheme by farmers in the catchment.
• Implementing options to deal with specific problems.
• Running demonstrations of best practice pesticide handling, e.g. a biobed.
This project demonstrated the importance of having a single catchment advisor who was able to build up good working relationships with all the farmers involved. It also highlighted the success of the biobed as an effective tool in reducing pesticide concentrations within the catchment. This project ended in 2008.