Anglian Water have worked with farmers around their region.  Implementing small,  best practice changes that are easily done and can make a big difference to local water quality.

 

Drip trays (manufactured from recycled plastics) have been handed out to all farmers around our main reservoirs and those who would like one.  The aim being to reduce / eliminate the risk of any drips and spills of pesticides entering the yard drainage system/nearby watercourses whilst filling the sprayer.

 

Feedback has been positive. Farmers often being very happy to replace their make-shift drip trays with a purpose built, lightweight one. Commenting on the usefulness of the spout to be able to pour captured pesticides back into the pesticide bottle to be re-used or away onto suitable untreated, undrained land.

 

Chemical spill kits have also been handed out to interested farmers or raffled off at local events.

Cab stickers have been produced for farmers to stick onto machinery windows.  These have the emergency contact number for the Environment Agency and Anglian Water. The idea being, if there's been an accident e.g. a pesticide spill in the yard, the contact numbers are to hand in the hope the risks and damage is limited. 

It's reported a high percentage of pesticide losses are potentially from farm yards.  With spills and drips getting into the farm drainage system and out into the wider catchment. One idea that came from talking to farmers and stakeholders was that knowing where farm drains run to is really important.  However this isn't known by all in the industry.

 

Having an up to date map of where farm drains run to is a measure of compliance with the Red Tractor Crop Assurance scheme. This will help find the location and direction of farm drains in the event of a chemical spill. Quick remedial action can then be taken to block up that drain, stopping the chemical getting out into the wider catchment.

 

With this in mind, drain dye kits were provided to farmers at local events throughout the East Anglian region.  To help facilitate working with farmers to install mitigation measures to minimise / eliminate drips and spills in yards.  Ensuring no pollution of water courses e.g. drip trays, spill kits and designated filling areas with bunded areas.