Soil and Water

• Introduction
• Water Protection
• Ground Water Regulations
  • EC Groundwater Directive
• Water Framework Directive UK
• Catchment Sensitive Farming
• Nitrates
• The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008
• Silage Slurry & Agricultural Fuel Oil
• Soil
  • Soil Management Plan
  • Defra Soil Protection Review
  • Soil Information Gateway
  • Soil Strategy Case Studies (AHRF)
  • Tried & Tested Nutrient Management Plan
• Water Supply and Resource Management
• National & Regional Water Strategies
• Flooding

Water Supply and Resource Management

Environment Hub » Soil Water » Watter Supply Resource »

Water may be supplied treated to potable standards via mains from a water provider or farmers may have their own supply such as a borehole, well or spring. Water quality and preventing wastage is important, the Water-Bye laws control how water is stored and distributed on farms

Rain Water Harvesting

Rainwater Harvesting: an on-farm guide published by the Environment Agency November 2009

What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and use of rainwater falling onto buildings which would otherwise have gone down the drains, been lost through evaporation, or soaked into the ground. Buildings under construction present the ideal opportunity to install a RWH system – or it can be added to existing structures. A system may involve diverting drainage to a tank or reservoir to collect water and if necessary, could include treatment to improve water quality for specific uses. Distribution pumps and pipes may also be required to supply the water to where it is needed on-farm. There is a RWH system to suit all needs and budgets. It could simply be created by diverting roof gutters into a storage tank or water butt, or it could be more complex involving pumped storage, filters and UV treatment for use on ready-to-eat crops.

Drought

BPEX Knowledge Transfer Bulletin 20- Water Usage: Tips on saving a precious resource

Hosepipe bans – implications to pig farmers

After two years of very low winter rainfall, parts of England are officially in drought. As a result, a number of water companies have announced temporary restrictions in water use from 5 April 2012 , generally these apply to domestic customers not commercial. Each water company has published details of its temporary use ban on its website.  The use of water in pig farming should generally not be affected, especially where health and welfare or safety is concerned.    However you must check which exceptions apply to you with your particular supplier, as rules and exceptions vary between suppliers and regions of the country.

Visit the DirectGov website for full details on the hosepipe bans and details of each water supplier. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_201641

Publications

• Water By-laws
• Water Abstraction Guide
• Water resources (control of pollution, silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil) regulations 2010 (SSAFO)