river and waste issues
Ref: W02

Stock erosion	Fenced river bank

It is possible to prevent pollution continually entering our rivers and killing fish and other wildlife. In most cases pollution is not intentional and is often caused by thoughtlessness. To some people preventing pollution is an unwelcome added cost. However, in the long term, looking after the countryside and preventing pollution is cost effective and protects our environment for future generations.

Erosion before fencing	Same view after fencing
Ditch fenced off	Wide buffer zone

Fencing riverbanks is one way to prevent sheep and cattle eroding the banks and polluting the water. However, the farmer would have to provide alternative drinking sources as well as the fencing, which can be expensive. On the other hand, the farmer does not lose the soil his livelihood depends on and his animals have less illness and injury, which saves him money in vets bills, etc.

Buffer strip by river

Arable farmers can be encouraged to leave a broad strip at the edge of fields that is not sprayed with fertilisers or pesticides. In this way, riverbanks and hedgerows are protected. However, the farmer loses arable land in the process and can have a reduced crop.

Buffer strips can be a preventive measure for other activities. If a wildlife strip separates the farming activities or industrial works from the river it can provide not only a safety barrier but also a way of filtering and cleaning dirty water and preventing eroded soil and chemicals from being washed into the river.

Quarry water channel

Industries can be persuaded to install safety measures to prevent oil or chemical spills. Quarrying companies can ensure that excess water is channelled into catch pits and lagoons away from the works and not directly into the river. Although digging out sediment from catch pits is expensive, it reduces the risk of sediment polluting rivers and the cost of putting things right if an accident occurs.

Rubbish tip

There are some illegal activities, such as fly tipping, which are difficult to prevent and too expensive to police. Some thoughtless people will take their rubbish in a car or truck and tip it into a convenient roadside wood, stream or lay-by. Some rubbish is merely unsightly (old beds or tyres) but other stuff tipped can be toxic (poisonous) and dangerous to wildlife, such as old paint cans, pesticide containers, leaking batteries or used sump oil. Often it would be quicker, easier and cheaper for these people to travel to the nearest recycling centre, and we would not have to pay so much in taxes for the Council to clear up the mess.

Read and discuss the Case Studies on Quarrying (W02a), Farming (W02b) and Industry (W02c)