Farmers are ending their reliance on harmful chemicals and rebuilding soil health through nature-friendly practices that reduce the risk of water pollution in rivers.
Run-off from agriculture is one of the biggest polluters of waterways in Britain with 83 per cent of English rivers having evidence of contamination from sewage and farming.
Phil Carson, head of policy at the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: “Despite water’s invaluable presence across our landscapes, their health and condition have plummeted in recent years.
“The collective impact of sewage, agricultural runoff and plastic pollution has left our rivers in a sorry state.”
Some farm businesses pollute waterways by spreading excess animal waste on their land.
When it rains, this runs off into local rivers which causes nutrient pollution and in severe cases, ecosystem collapse.
Rivers are awash with manure, fertiliser and pesticides from farming, alongside sewage.
Only 14 per cent of England’s rivers meet good ecological status, official statistics show.
For example, phosphate-rich runoff from free-range chickens is causing the spread of algal blooms that devastate the River Wye’s ecosystem.
Mr Carson said: “We know our farmland’s degraded soils and over-reliance on pesticides and artificial fertilisers have led to excess chemicals and nutrients in our waterways. But we also know that farming has a huge opportunity to provide many of the solutions to help restore our rivers.”
Farm manager Matt Griffin, 46, is on a mission to “rewild soil” to ensure clearer water runs into the River Tweet at Neidpath Farms in Peebles, Scotland.
He said: “We are awakening the soil. It’s a fantastic opportunity to create a sponge for water and carbon. Alongside our mob grazing, we are growing fungi rich compost to amend the soil.
“We are changing our ability to hold on to water in the landscape. This slows the water to aid in flooding and stops soil and nutrient erosion resulting in clearer water running into the river tweed.”
Sewage also continues to course through the nation’s waterways.
More than 384,000 discharges of raw sewage were reported by water companies across England and Wales in 2022.
The Daily Express Green Britain Needs You campaign has highlighted the state of the nation’s waterways.
The crusade will celebrate its three year anniversary on Wednesday.
If you have reconnected with your local nature spots in recent years, please email greenbritain@reachplc.com with a sentence detailing your renewed appreciation for nature.
