Water
Success for scheme that pays farmers to reduce pollution
ing farmers to reduce pollution. Severn Trent’s Farming for Wa- ter initiative saves up to £20 in water treatment costs for every £1 it spends in support for more than 5,000 farmers across the Midlands, says Jodie Retti- no, the company’s catchment and bio- diversity lead.
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“When it comes to water, farmers and Severn Trent have common goals. Ultimately, we both need water to be in the right place at the right time and it needs to be good quality. That’s why it makes sense for collaboration to im- prove water quality upstream. “The grants offered to farmers in the Midlands have multifaceted ben- efi ts. They improve water quality for our customers, enhance the wider en- vironment and have numerous produc- tivity benefi ts for producers.”
Amazing results In the last fi ve years, more than £5.7 million has been invested in Sev- ern Trent’s environmental protec- tion scheme (STEPS). It helps farm- ers change their practices to enhance water quality, farm productivity and the wider farm environment. Dr Rettino says: “We’ve seen amaz- ing results which include a 90% re- duction in pesticide peaks over the last fi ve years. This milestone has been achieved by farmers recognis- ing the value of the mutual benefi ts
ne of the UK’s biggest water companies has seen a big re- turn on investment after pay-
Other areas where collaboration is working She added: “Ultimately, farmers need to
Over the past six years, Severn Trent has worked with over 4,000 farmers as part of the Farm to Tap scheme, – which paid farmers up to £5/ha to reduce watercourse pollution by avoiding metaldehyde slug pellets. To date, the scheme has been very
successful. Dr Rettino said: “We’ve seen a 68% reduction in metaldehyde peaks and there’s been no metaldehyde failures at treatment works for the last two years.”
that match-funded grants offer.” Many producers invest the mon- ey from STEP grants into marginal land to avoid taking valuable land out of production. This includes planting buffer strips or building beetle banks, which bring biodiversity benefi ts as well as water improvements. “About ten years ago we were look- ing to install a treatment plant, spe- cifi cally to remove pesticides at the treatment works in Tittesworth, which would have cost several mil- lion pounds,” said Dr Rettino. Through catchment management work and investment with farmers, we reduced pesticide contamination to a level that meant treatment equipment wasn’t required.”
Although a lot of progress has al- ready been made in reducing pesticide levels, Dr Rettino says there is still more work to be done when it comes to reducing nitrates and cryptosporid- ium in watercourses.
Grant recipient and farmer James Kent said equipment purchased through the scheme had helped him reduce fertiliser usage. Water quality had improved through precision ap-
start thinking about pesticide use in a diff erent way, so that they implement an integrated approach, using cultural options fi rst where possible. Pesticides should be a last resort.” Farmers can make applications to join the
Farm to Tap scheme until 15 September. To fi nd out if you are eligible, visit: www.
stwater.co.uk/about-us/environment/ catchment-management/farm-to-tap/
A 95% reduction in pesticide peaks over last fi ve years
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plications and the farm is using less fertiliser – a big cost saving. “We were already saving 5% a year on fertiliser costs using GPS guidance equipment purchased from our Severn Trent grant. But with a further grant, we now have variable rate application and section control, which has saved us more than 10% a year.”
Funding available
Dr Rettino is encouraging more farm- ers to apply for STEPS funding, with the application window open for anoth- er six months. Getting involved would help farmers make the shift towards farming with the wider environment in mind, she says. Although change brings opportuni-
ties, Dr Rettino says farmers should still use Severn Trent advice to ensure they are prepared to take the leap – and see what postive change can do for their business. For more information and the full grant eligibility criteria. visit www.
stwater.co.uk/steps. Alternatively, con- tact your local Severn Trent agricultur- al adviser. Applications are open until 31 January 2022.
28 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021
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