Agenda item

The committee noted the presentation.

The Chair welcomed Tim Stephens, Catchment Partnerships Advisor,Wessex Water and Shane Rothwell from Lancaster University and thanked them for returning to give this presentation that was deferred from the Special Water Quality meeting on 26^th April 2024 due to running out of time.  

Tim Stephens provided some context for thepresentation and explained that he was in attendancerepresenting all the key stakeholders that havecommissioned Lancaster University to carry out this research project across all of the Somerset catchments, the Brue & Axe, Parrett, Tone and Ramsar IRZ.   

Shane Rothwell from Lancaster University talked members through the data and findings from the project which was being undertaken in two phases.The first phase to better understand food system P input pressures on the Somerset Levels and Moors and Dorset Stour catchments potentially impacting water quality and how they might be alleviated, and the second phase, which is still underway, to quantify how the past (Historic analysis) and present (SFA) P input pressures from the agricultural sector link to river P status, and the prospects for reducing the P pollution threat. 

Shane Rothwell invited comments and questions from members and the following points were discussed.

·         Clarity that this research is based on sampling across the whole Somerset catchment, and not specific to the Somerset Levels and Moors. Tim Stephens added that there is an intention to some more detailed analysis of the Levels and Moors in the future.  

·         Does ‘zero P’ surplus mean no livestock and fertilisers, but considering the crops that are absorbing the P that is coming from those sources? Mr Rothwell explained that surplus P could be reduced by reducing livestock, although this is not favourable as the only approach, and by manure export, and this brings its own challenges.  

·         RegardingLegacy P – Legacy P remains in the soil and to remove and achieve Zero P it needs to be drawn down by farming the land without adding more P (fertiliser). The timescales for how long it would take to reach zero P in this way are not fully understood but could take decades.  

·         This research will not go through a peer review system at this time,but has been reviewed by technical specialists from partners such as the Environment Agency. 

·         The river sampling data was collectedby the Environment Agency using the spot sampling method.  

·         A member referred to baseline data that he had seen that suggested that in 2019 Wessex Waters contribution to P in the river systems was 52%, would we expect that this has fallen after the amp 7 study? Mr Rothwell advised that he would check this and respond to the member directly. 

·         Phase 2 shows a strong link between Intensive agricultural practices(in response to increasinglyhigh demand for food)and high levels ofP in Somerset’s waterways. Phase 3 of the research has not been mapped out yet, andWessex Water and its partners are open to looking at working with farmers, possibly running pilot schemes, to encourage morenutrient balanced farm practices and reduce the surplus P runoff into Somerset’s waterways.  

The Chair thanked Tim Stephens, Wessex Water and Shane Rothwell, Lancaster University for their attendance and for the very informative presentation which he felt had led to a very interesting and worthwhile discussion as part of the committee’s ongoing Water Quality in Somerset focus.       

The committee noted the presentation.