Diffuse pollution priority catchments

A new programme of rural diffuse pollution work started in March 2010, to help deliver the objectives outlined in the recently published the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for the Scotland and Solway-Tweed river basin districts.

Diffuse pollution priority catchments have been identified by SEPA as catchments failing to meet environmental standards. Fourteen priority catchments, containing some of Scotland’s most important waters (for conservation, drinking water, bathing and fishing), have been selected using a risk based approach for action in the first basin planning cycle. Work will also include the mitigation of other water environment impacts, such as morphological change, abstractions, flooding and alien species, where these are also causing waterbody downgrades.

• The 14 priority catchments
• Support for land managers
• Contact details
• General binding rules
• Useful Links

The 14 priority catchments

SEPA has appointed dedicated priority catchment coordinators to investigate the issues each catchment faces and liaise with local land managers to implement the measures. The priority catchment work is also part of the Diffuse Pollution Management Advisory Group (DPMAG) Implementation Plan.

The priority catchments identified for this work are listed below. Click on an catchment for more information:

Support for land managers

As part of the priority catchment work, there will be a range of evening meetings, workshops and site visits to help land managers understand the steps needed to protect water quality and develop cost effective solutions to reduce risks. Land managers will be contacted by the priority catchment staff when details of these events are confirmed.

Contact details

You can contact the following SEPA staff for information on the 14 priority catchments:

 General enquiries on priority catchment work can be sent to diffuse.pollution@sepa.org.uk.

General binding rules

In April 2008, the Water Environment (Diffuse Pollution) (Scotland) Regulations were introduced, These regulations are referred to as the Diffuse Pollution General Binding Rules (DP GBRs).  The seven DP GBRs focus solely on rural land use activities.

All rural land users have a responsibility to ensure they are working in line with these DP GBR’s.

Diffuse pollution (GBR) leaflets
DP GBR 18: Storage and application of fertilisers  (2mb)
DP GBR 19: Keeping of livestock  (2mb)
DP GBR 20: Cultivation of land  (2.5mb)
DP GBR 23: Application of pesticide (1.5mb)
DP GBR 24: Operation of sheep dipping  facilities  (4mb)
DP GBR: Forestry (1.5mb)
DP GBRs Explained  (2mb)
Priority Catchments  (876k)

Developed from already widely accepted good practice guidance, such as the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity code (PEPFAA), the DP GBRs present a statutory baseline which should provide a general level of environmental protection and contribute significantly to water quality improvements.  There are no fees associated with the GBRs and no application forms. However, each DP GBR has conditions which specify what must be done to ensure compliance.

Useful Links

• 4 Point Plan – information for livestock farmers to help to identify and reduce diffuse pollution
• Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual – information on identifying diffuse pollution risks via a DP audit, and list of measures that could help to reduce diffuse pollution risks    
• CAR Practical Guide
• Constructed Wetlands Manual       
• Farm soils plan
• Forests and Water Guidelines
• Impact of Agricultural Practices and Catchment Characteristics on Ayrshire Bathing Waters 
• PEPFAA Code
• Septic Tank Guide
• SEPA River Restoration funding
• Voluntary Initiative
• WREN Biodiversity Action fund 

For more information on diffuse pollution, visit SEPA's diffuse pollution webpage.