Helping farmers to improve catchment water quality
Background
On behalf of Severn Trent Water, ADAS led a series of farm visits within small catchment areas identified as being a risk to water quality due to faecal indicator issues, particularly involving cryptosporidium.
The catchments, situated in sensitive groundwater zones, were home to a limited number of farms, making them ideal for targeted engagement.
Severn Trent Water proactively sought to work with these particular farms and offered them bespoke funding to reduce the risk of faecal contamination entering water sources. The funding packages were designed to support farmers with infrastructure and animal health improvements. The project aimed to mutually beneficial – improve water quality resilience while supporting the long-term sustainability of the farms involved.
Through its role as on-farm project deliverer, ADAS provided a bridge between Severn Trent’s environmental objectives and the day-to-day realities of farming.
Actions taken
Following a farm visit by an ADAS consultant, we produced a bespoke report for the farmer. The report summarised the key risk areas for faecal indicator losses on their land and recommended suitable, practical mitigation measures.
These reports also included indicative costings for the proposed improvements, laying the foundation for a potential funding agreement between Severn Trent and the individual farm.
This approach ensured that each farmer received tailored advice relevant to their specific circumstances, underpinned by expert insight and a collaborative tone.
Results
One particularly positive outcome from the engagement was the high level of farmer interest in taking further steps to monitor and manage cryptosporidium risks.
Across all visits, there was a shared enthusiasm among farmers to see more testing carried out—both on farms and in the surrounding environment—to identify the sources of contamination more precisely. This feedback was reflected in the reports and has since contributed to wider discussions between ADAS and Severn Trent around potential environmental and livestock testing programmes that could inform future interventions.
Impact
Following the visits, farmers involved implemented a large proportion of the recommended measures, particularly those relating to slurry storage and handling. These improvements not only addressed the environmental risks but also supported the operational and welfare priorities of the farms involved.
The project’s success has since prompted further strategic conversations with Severn Trent about how environmental testing and targeted farm support can be integrated more broadly into their catchment management approach.
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