Rivers - Cleaner, but not yet good enough for EU

[Leon Roskilly]

see:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8267686.stm

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009...-agency-england

Edited September 22, 2009 by Leon Roskilly

[gozzer]

see:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8267686.stm

 

I've just been reading this, and thought I'd post it on here. But you beat me to it Leon .

 

Does anyone know where to find what criteria is used to define a 'good' river from a 'very good' river etc.

What is it allowed to contain and in what quantities?

 

I was also surprised to see that eels are reported as "returning" to some estuaries.

 

John.

[Leon Roskilly]

Does anyone know where to find what criteria is used to define a 'good' river from a 'very good' river etc.

What is it allowed to contain and in what quantities?

 

 

see annexe of report linked to at: http://www.euwfd.com/html/monitoring_requirements.html

 

 

OOOps! Hopefully they will fix the DEFRA links soon (thousands of webmasters must be tearing their hair out now that DEFRA have revamped their website, and none of the previous links or bookmarks now work!)

Edited September 22, 2009 by Leon Roskilly

[gozzer]

see annexe of report linked to at: http://www.euwfd.com/html/monitoring_requirements.html

 

 

OOOps! Hopefully they will fix the DEFRA links soon (thousands of webmasters must be tearing their hair out now that DEFRA have revamped their website, and none of the previous links or bookmarks now work!)

 

Thanks for the link Leon.

I've only had time for a quick look, but seems to give the info I'm after, without getting too technical.

 

John.

[Chris Plumb]

My local River Kennet doesn't come out very well (though BBC map has it marked in the wrong place on their map )

 

 

C.

[Anderoo]

So the river Test is rated 'poor' or 'bad'?

[Steve Walker]

More information on methodology here. Page 34-ish.

 

I would really need to dig further to make a more educated guess, because the range of indices measured is commendably broad, but I would not be at all surprised if the poor performance of the Test is all to do with high nitrate levels.

 

This is looking at water quality in groundwater in the Test catchment - the nitrate figures are getting towards the top end of what's acceptable for drinking water, so I expect the problem is more severe still in the river with agricultural runoff and treated sewage inputs.

Edited September 22, 2009 by Steve Walker