CIEEM Conference 24 th November 2014 Sustainable Catchment Area Management Planning (SCAMP NI) a more environmentally sustainable approach to improving water quality Roy Taylor Catchment Manager
Presentation Structure 1) Drinking Water Catchments 2) Catchment Problems 3) Objectives of SCAMP NI 4) Current Projects 5) Future Plans
Presentation Structure 1) Drinking Water Catchments 2) Catchment problems 3) Objectives of SCAMP NI 4) Current Projects 5) Future Plans
NI Water s Drinking Water Catchments 24 Water Treatment Works 34 Raw water abstractions 8615 hectares landholdings
Presentation Structure 1) Drinking Water Catchments 2) Catchment problems 3) Objectives of SCAMP NI 4) Current Projects 5) Future Plans
Climate Change Wildfires Direct Correlation between Wildfire events and severe drought periods Over the last decade the number of severe drought periods are increasing slowly but significantly since 2005 At the same time the total number minor drought is slightly decreasing. With more periods of drought the potential fire season is getting longer
Invasive Species The Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 (as amended) states that it is an offence under Article 15 if anyone plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any species of plant listed on Schedule 9 Part II.
Poor Raw Water Quality
Pollution
Recreation & Access
Presentation Structure 1) Drinking Water Catchments 2) Catchment Problems 3) Objectives of SCAMP NI 4) Current Projects 5) Future Plans
Sustainable Catchment area Management Planning (SCAMP NI) Objectives Objective: To improve the quality and reliability of the raw water received at NI Water s raw water abstraction points through sustainable catchment based solutions that focus on protecting the natural environment through achieving favourable condition and habitat improvement. Erosion, runoff, dried out vegetation Environmental nightmare Poor raw water quality Water treatment difficulties = Saturated peat, healthy vegetation Enhanced environment Good raw water quality downstream Improved water treatment = savings
SCAMP NI Helps Mitigate Against and Adapt to Climate Change Good Carbon WTW Bad Carbon WTW & Extension Consequences: CO 2 emission, increased WTW capital & operational cost, reduced storage capacity, reduced summer raw water base flow, river flow more flashy
SCAMP NI Approach to Project Scoping & Delivery Mourne Heritage Trust NIEA DARD Farming Groups e.g. UFU Forestry Service DRD DWI Ulster Wildlife Trust RSPB Woodland Trust Community Groups SCAMP NI Steering Group SCaMP Project Delivery Land management Woodland creation Blanket bog restoration Heathland management Invasive species control Wildfire prevention Pesticide Control Consider best Catchment Practice from UK Water Industry Reduced or Delayed WTW capital costs Reduced operational WTW costs Increased Water Quality Compliance Increased Environmental Compliance
Presentation Structure 1) Drinking Water Catchments 2) Catchment Problems 3) Objectives of SCAMP NI 4) Current Projects 5) Future Plans
Project 1 - Garron Plateau Blanket Bog Restoration Garron Plateau contains the most extensive area of intact upland blanket bog in N Ireland Blanket bogs are one of the most important habitats found in Ireland, if not globally. Home to rare wildlife Sphagnum moss, hen harrier, golden plover, snipe, red grouse, etc Dungonnell WTW Catchment Details: Direct Catchment a single impounding reservoir Indirect Catchment - intake from Inver River and Collin Burn In total 2,000 hectares catchment - all owned by NI Water 4 rivers feed into the reservoir and in turn, these rivers are fed by other streams. Catchment consists entirely of bogs and marshes No dwellings in the catchment
Project 1 - Garron Plateau Blanket Bog Restoration What are the problems? Over-grazing Reduces the mount of vegetation cover and leads to large areas of bare peat Drainage Intercepts and diverts overland flow to remove water rapidly from the peatland system. Peat cutting, burning, recreation, climate change, invasive species, forestry, etc. Project Objectives Restore Garron Plateau ASSI to favourable condition Ensure appropriate grazing levels to prevent issues such as peat erosion Blocking drains to prevent peat erosion, improve raw water quality and restore hydrology. Information sharing with similar projects in N Ireland Dried out & damaged peatland Damaged ecosystems & loss of habitats Poor raw water quality & expensive water treatment
Project 1 - Garron Plateau Blanket Bog Restoration Peat Dams This involves removing short strips of vegetation from either side of the drain. The underlying peat is then used to create the dam and the vegetation is placed on to the top of the dam. Timber Dams Only possible where there are reas of heather adjacent in small drains Plastic Curtain A sheet of plastic that will insert vertically into the ground to prevent lateral water movement Stone Dams On larger drains stone are used to block and slow the water velocity
Project 1 - Garron Plateau Blanket Bog Restoration
Project 2 - The Water Catchment Partnership Derg WTW Catchment Details: Extensive river catchment upper reaches of the catchment are in Co Donegal Catchment Area >32000 Hectares The catchment is a rural area, predominantly pasture with areas of forest, bogs and heathland in the upper catchment Main Risks Slurry, silage, Nutrients & Pesticides What are the problems? High Levels of MCPA in raw water Exceedances in final water quality at Derg WTW High costs for GAC filter regeneration Environmental issues in Derg River
Project 2 - The Water Catchment Partnership Who are The Water Catchment Partnership?
Project 2 - The Water Catchment Partnership Partnership Aims Promote best practice guidelines in the use of pesticides to all users Project in partnership with: Reduce levels of pesticide in Water particularly drinking water catchments through education and voluntary initiatives Derg Catchment pilot area of need Delivering the message...so far Catchment wide postal drop Engaged suppliers, local merchants Open days at Derg WTW s Farm Engagement Visits Omagh Agricultural Show Clogher Valley Agricultural Show Balmoral Show Cafre Soil and Sward events CAFRE Hill farming events
Project 3 - Eastern Mournes Wildfire Project What is the problem? Over the last decade the number of severe drought periods are increasing slowly but significantly. With more periods of drought the potential fire season is getting longer. Wildfire events have a detrimental effect on water quality and result in high chemical costs in water treatment. Actions: Establishment of an Eastern Mournes Fire Group Develop expertise and knowledge to manage the wildfire risk Share responsibility of intervening at wildfires Provide financial & practical support to the NIFRS Train & equip land managers to provide an initial response team Aid stakeholders in forming a collaborative response to wildfire Creating a wildfire hub at an appropriately positioned station. Project in partnership with:
Project 4 Faughan Valley Riperian Tree Planting What is the problem? The Faughan River provides raw water to Carmoney WTW. River Banks are badly eroded and sediment is washed down in flood conditions. The raw water is very flashy and at times very difficult to treat. Higher treatment costs and risk of water quality exceedances.
Project 4 Faughan Valley Riperian Tree Planting What is proposed? Fence off river banks for approx 30 miles upstream of Carmoney WTW. Stabilise river banks by planting trees, matting, etc. Work to be done in association with the Woodland Trust. Relatively small capital investment by NI Water. Funding obtained by Woodland Trust for over 500k from outside bodies Water Quality to be monitored throughout by NIW to collate benefits to treatment. Project in partnership with:
Future Plans Roll out The Water Catchment Partnership in a wider area across N Ireland Liaise with DARD to influence policy towards minimising pesticide use Liaise with University of Ulster & QUB to explore opportunities for collaboration for research projects. Catchment studies in every drinking water catchment in Northern Ireland Further develop relationships with stakeholders to identify concerns and opportunities Continue to deliver investment on a prioritised basis to improve the water environment Establish links with Irish Water for liaison on cross border catchment issues.
Conclusions SCAMP NI: 1) Contributes to drinking water protection 2) Contributes to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) Objectives 3) Contributes to the NI Biodiversity Action Plan 4) Helps mitigate against, and adapt, to Climate Change 5) Enables risk based approaches to solutions Successful delivery will only possible through: 1) Stable long term strategic direction & funding 2) Implementation of new ways of working and innovative solutions 3) All stakeholders continuing to working closely together