Led by: Portsmouth Water
Partners: Wood Group UK Limited, Southern Water Services, Anglian Water Services, Wessex Water, South East Water, Affinity, Environment Agency for England
Nitrate pollution has long been a threat to Chalk drinking water and dependent environments in Southern England. To reduce nitrate in drinking water requires expensive treatment or changes in farming practice. Water companies work with farmers to reduce nitrate inputs, but lack detailed knowledge of where to focus efforts for efficient, rapid results. The project will develop modelling software that can predict concentrations throughout the Chalk so that land use options can be tested to select those that deliver efficient nitrate reduction. This will reduce treatment costs and energy consumption and help to protect habitats and biodiversity.
