Urban Diffuse Pollution

Theo Thomas, Thames21theo.thomas@thames21.org.uk

Urban Diffuse PollutionWidespread, day to day pollutionCatastrophic results – July 2013

Diffuse pollution significant factor in the number of rivers failing WFD

Stormwater run off

Run off from roads, industrial, parks, gardens, golf courses

On many tributaries vehicle use is a greater contributor of pollutants than industrial sites or sewage treatment works

Oils – leaking enginesHeavy metals – copper from brake pads & engine parts, lead from bearings and tyres, zinc from tyresOther toxic chemicals – eg. fertilisers on golf courses

Plumbing misconnections

So widespread could be considered diffuse PathogensNutrientsDetergentsPharmaceuticals/cosmetics

Investigating pollution

• Citizen Science• Locating polluting outfalls

from roads• Catchment Walkovers• Informal outfall spotting• Best source of information• Reporting pollution incidents

Further investigation

• University partnerships

• National Laboratory Service

• Other commercial laboratories (ensure accredited by UKAS)

• Local Authority Environmental Health Department

SW drainage mapsFrom local authority or water company

Partnerships• Local authoritiesHighways DeptPlannersBuilding ControlEnvironmental HealthFlood EngineerComms TeamParks DeptBiodiversity Officer

• EA• Water company• Highways agencies• Businesses• Residents

Solutions

• Awareness raisingPublic and authorities

• Enforcement

• SuDS

Salmons Brook Healthy River Challenge

• Catchment Restoration Fund project

• Very few urban diffuse pollution projects

• Creation of SuDS to tackle urban diffuse pollution in Salmons Brook Catchment

• Taking a holistic approach

Determine a need – The A10Catchment walkovers

Local reports

Local Authority Officers

Water quality testing

Next steps…….

• Stormwater drainage maps

• Topographical survey to determine feasibility

• Locate site

Next steps…….• Liaise with partners

• Community engagement:Inform – regularly!Raise awarenessDispel concernsConsult?TransparencyVolunteers to help with SuDS creation/maintenance

• Design SuDS – consultant

• Ecology survey

• Permissions

Case study – A10

Current challenges

• Identifying further funding

• Further water quality testing – access and sediments

• Liaising with partners:TW, TfL, LBE

• Concurrent works

• Timescales

• Beasties!

SuDS – Idea to installation• Where are your major roads or roads that drain to your river?• Do you know of any rivers where problems have been observed?• What kind of problems do you think there are?• How would you determine what the problem is?• Who do you need to involve?• How would you secure the involvement of those you have

identified?• Road run-off solutions?• Misconnection solutions?• Sediment solutions?• Other problems?• Is there space for SuDS?

• Sources – Local Authority? Highways Flood managementEnvironment Agency/Defra?Businesses?

• How would you make the case? What are the drivers?

• Any planned schemes you can become a part of?

Funding

Future support

• Available to give guidance (inc. misconnections campaigns)

• Join our SBHRC or Love the Lea mailing list

• Documents on RT forums

• Build a network of RT members driving SuDS in UK

• theo.thomas@thames21.org.uk

Evidence –Lamb Drove, Cambourne, Cambridgeshire County Council

http://www.susdrain.org/case-studies/case_studies/lamb_drove_residential_suds_scheme_cambourne.html (Google search - Cambourne Lamb Drove SuDS

Heavy metals –“We observed the greatest effects on several species of heptageniid mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), which were highly sensitive to heavy metals and were reduced by >75% at moderately polluted stations.”HEAVY METALS STRUCTURE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO MOUNTAIN STREAMSWilliam H. Clements , Daren M. Carlisle , James M. Lazorchak and Philip C. Johnson. Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University. 2000.

“Early developmental stages of fish are particularly sensitive to water pollution. Heavy metals may affect various developmental processes during the embryonic period, which results in a reduction of offspring quantity and quality.”The effects of heavy metals on embryonic development of fish. Barbara Jezierska, Katarzyna Lugowska, Malgorzata Witeska. Department of Animal Physiology, University of Podlasie, Prusa 12, 08110, Siedlce, Poland 2009.