£2 million Cumbrian study to reduce river pollution

By Victoria Brenan
Last updated at 14:01, Tuesday, 16 March 2010
A £2 million environmental study is to be carried out in Cumbria in a bid to reduce agricultural river pollution.
A team from Newcastle University wants to find ways to prevent farm waste affecting water quality, while sustaining food production levels.
The four-year project on the River Eden is being funded by Defra and the Environment Agency.
The researchers, led by Dr Paul Quinn, say they aim to transform modern agricultural practices.
Dr Quinn said: “Waste and run-off from farms is a serious threat to our rivers.” He added: “But if we are to tackle the problem we need to find cost-effective, sustainable mitigation measures that can be incorporated into normal farming practice.
“Wetlands, ponds and sediment traps are just some of the schemes that Newcastle academics are testing on working farms to remove the waste before it reaches the river.”
The university team will work with farmers and regulators to establish ‘mutually beneficial’ systems, he added.
First published at 11:28, Tuesday, 16 March 2010Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk