Waterwise on the Farm - Red Tractor Assurance
Contents
1. iad 4097 e sKep 02 Sajnulul orc Danbai suns uonesuul jnoqe 10 p sn SUIEW ep sani 000 7Z AED e S nou y ojnuiul seni OS Se SP L UI Keids S A PA JJO 1D2 11 sulysem Ajaulysew Suunp Sujuuni 39 SUIEW ep sani 087 s muju 06 mulul s ni 7 pier sde S USWWO a21n0S 2 8 OSEE p sn Jop i Aep saynuiw oul Suljeiado EU nNuUIW leen EISE MO 4 U0OIj8e20 yuawdinba 101U8AUI 9Sn J9 8M BC W104 v Joquinn 28 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 8UD ULIP 40 8011002 04 31035 SUIEW Kep s ui 00S ST OZ Supjuuq eq 061 DUU ur smog ax a z 2191 5 1 s Aep s d syu wwo a21n0s EIDA eue Jad asp AWAY u0Ie20 v saquiny yewluy 2015 Azo u Aul 9Sn J9 8M 07 W104 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 29 Table 2 Livestock watering requirements Animal Production cycle Litre day animal Other weeks Drinking Wash water requirements Cattle Dairy cow 56 92 25 Growers and 52 20 replacements Beef covvs and 52 20 heifers Dairy and beef 52 20 bulls Beef store cattle 52 20 Dairy and beef 9 5 calves Pigs Dry sows and gilts 52 6 0 09 Boars 52 6 0 09 Farrowing sows 5 30 5 63 Maiden gilts 10 55 0 09 Barren sows 10 55 0 09 Wea2. 250 20 70 5 m Leak of one litre Leak fixed d 200 size by 25 cattle per minute occurs demand returns co o to normal o S E 4 da a S 40 5 100 E E 30 2 50 7 10 0 J FMAM ASOND FMAM I JASONDJ FMAM JASONDJ FMAMJ JASOND Bb voco 2003 2004 2005 2006 m Summer use As the graph shows a leak of one litre per minute raises water consumption by the same amount as increasing a dairy herd by 25 animals Date The table below shows the cost of the leak at a price of 85p per m for mains water Tune 1 1 Litres wasted Cost at 85p per m 1 000 litres minute occurs 1 day 1 440 1511 22 1 week 10 080 8 57 1 month 43 800 37 10 6 months 262 800 1222577 1 year 525 600 445 54 You need to bear in mind that metered water use for a dairy herd is lower in summer as the cows will drink from puddles and eat wet grass Calculate the cost of the water you use Understanding the true cost of water is crucial in Your water costs you more than just the amount printed managing the water you use Often costs are unknown on the bill from your local water company or the and you may make the mistake of thinking they are too Environment Agency so do not forget the hidden costs low to be of concern When you fill in Form 1 page 27 you may be surprised by just how much you are Costs include spending on water each year mains water and standing charge from your wat
3. Check whether any hygiene or farm assurance requirements need water of a certain quality to be used Top tip measuring the water you use If you need to estimate the amount of water that a piece of equipment uses ora recycling system saves all you need is a stopwatch and a container of a known volume Carefully disconnect the outflow pipe and place the container to catch the outflow You can then time how long it takes for the container to fill This gives you the flow rate in litres per second or other appropriate units for that piece of equipment You will then need to multiply this to give you a use per year by working out how often the equipment is used 12 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Map where you use water A map of the water network will help you pinpoint Sources uses any potential areas of wastage and where you could collect rainwater This map should show the location of all water uses pipes water troughs taps shut off valves and stopcocks You should also identify the sources of both clean and dirty water draining into the dirty water system Clean water sources such as roof water and run off from clean yards may be contributing to the volume of dirty water you produce This could be increasing your costs and the risk of running out of storage capacity This could force you to land spread at times of high risk which would increase the risk of diffuse pollution Consider whether you could divert t
4. Copies can be obtained from the MDC publications on 01285 646510 or online at www mdc org uk from Spring 2007 At his 240 hectare mixed farm in Shropshire Robert s dairy uses a total of 2355 m of water a year 735 m of which is used in cooling the milk With limited investment Robert installed additional pipework from the plate cooler to a nearby header tank and water trough This allowed the plate cooling water to be used again for animal drinking and washing down This measure also reduced the quantity of dirty water needing treatment and disposal producing an additional cost saving At a water price of 107p per m this would save 786 a year in water costs alone If dirty water disposal costs were twice the supply costs then these measures would save 2358 per year 18 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Case Study Water Efficiency Award Commended Brackenburgh Home Farms Brackenburgh Home Farms is a 1 500 acre mixed farm dairy arable and sheep in Cumbria A dairy modernisation programme resulted in a 33 per cent reduction in mains water use a 13 per cent reduction in water use per cow and savings dues to lower slurry disposal costs The project covered feeding passages reducing the amount of slurry produced Plate cooling water is reused for animal drinking and rainwater harvested for washing down Buffer strips were created alongside rivers and the farm is currently investigating whether a reedbed system could be u
5. been tried and tested by LEAF and NFU members provide real life examples of how activities around the farm may affect water quality and efficiency Chapter 4 gives further information on issues such as Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies CAMS potential grants and where to obtain advice on issues such as irrigation and Chapter 5 provides details of organisations that can offer further information and advice Tables and forms are grouped together at the end of the booklet This guide has been produced by the Environment Agency Defra LEAF and the NFU All four organisations are committed to working with farmers to improve the environment in a practical and realistic way Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 5 1 Water on the farm Importance of being waterwise The way to use water efficiently and manage the risk of diffuse water pollution is by carefully examining how you use water on the farm Being waterwise will reduce the risk of pollution make sure you use water efficiently and can save you money How water flows The diagram on page 7 illustrates how water flows at the catchment scale It is important to remember that water does not only flow on the surface but also soaks into the soil In dry conditions the water may be retained in the soil However if the soil is already wet the water may move down into the groundwater or through the soil in a downhill direction So even if your farm has no visible watercourses
6. for mixing and filling pesticides as well as sprayer wash down and storage cannot contaminate surface drains see VI website for up to date advice e Establish beetle banks across the slope to encourage natural predators and catch surface run off Yards Repair damaged guttering and check for leaks Separate clean and dirty water recycle the clean water or divert to ditch or watercourse e Roof livestock holding areas and manure stores to reduce the volume of dirty water produced divert the water to use later e Consider installing reedbeds for dealing with lightly contaminated yard run off e Make sure your pesticide fertiliser store is secure and located more than 10m away from a watercourse and or drain Make sure any effluent from silage clamps is collected stored and spread in an appropriate way e Make sure any oil or fuel storage tanks are properly bunded to 110 per cent of their volume e Consult the Voluntary Initiative website www voluntaryinitiative org uk on best practice for managing your pesticide filling and wash down areas For more information please visit the Defra Catchment Sensitive Farming website www defra gov uk farm environment water csf to view a User Manual of 44 recommended mitigation measures developed by IGER ADAS and a poster illustrating the main measures Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 9 2 How to carry out a water audit and action plan A water audit is simply a w
7. not restricting use You can help reduce waste by making small behavioural changes and by choosing more water efficient products For more information please visit www waterwise org LF Papworth Ltd manage over 4000 acres of farmland for 20 different landlords and have a number of interests including cereals potatoes livestock an abattoir and running 3 butchers They have worked hard to increase their irrigation efficiency to reduce both water and energy usage through detailed irrigation scheduling working with Cambridge University Farms They have also invested in new computerised irrigation equipment and have put in place a programme of field inspections to check for early signs of compaction which would reduce water infiltration and affect crop rooting They also had an irrigation water audit undertaken by Cranfield University and provided staff training on irrigation efficiency from Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group BAWAG and undertook the BAWAG audit This resulted in a decrease in abstraction of over 3000 cubic metres of water during 2006 compared to an average of the last 14 years despite 2006 being a very hot and dry year and also an increase in yield 20 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 4 Further help and information Grant tax rebate England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative Capital Grant Scheme This scheme runs from April 2007 March 2008 in the 40 priority catchments identified as bei
8. on forms 2a and 2b x 100 sum of totals on forms 2a and 2b e g 10 000 5 000 3 000 x 100 25 more water being used than would be expected 8 000 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 13 Step 4 Identify and compare water efficiency activities to reduce the amount of water you use If your actual water use is higher than your expected use then the next step is to calculate which water efficiency activities are the most cost effective for you Chapter 3 gives a list of water efficiency measures for different activities Many of these options make good business sense and require little capital investment By combining your knowledge of how much water you use with the suggestions in Chapter 3 you can calculate the payback period for each option and use the results to set priorities for your actions As well as the savings on your water bill do not forget to include savings from reduced dirty water energy and treatment costs but also include any increase in maintenance costs Step 5 Create implement and review your waterwise action plan Creating your plan Once you have identified which measures you intend to carry out you should draw up a basic waterwise action plan This should include e how you plan to save water e targets for water savings e targets for financial savings e who is responsible for each action An example of a simple waterwise action plan is given in Table 4 page 32 Actions
9. should be detailed in full and placed in order of priority for implementation starting with the most cost effective measures 14 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Implementing your plan Make sure that your waterwise action plan addresses the following issues e staff family and contractors are aware of the need to save water e timing of improvements e routine maintenance checks monitoring and reviewing progress Gaining support from others and promoting successes are just as important as gathering data and setting targets By involving everyone in the waterwise action plan you can achieve continuous improvements Starting with simple and low cost actions will help to build enthusiasm and demonstrate the benefits of being waterwise You should also think about your waterwise action plan in the context of other management plans covering nutrients soil crop protection and manure Reviewing your plan You should review and update your waterwise action plan at least once a year Compare your actual savings with expected savings Review actions that have not achieved the savings you expected to find out any problems Top tip drain check After a period without rain check your drains to see if they are still wet If they are then it may be that a leak is flowing into them or that they are blocked Case Study Water Efficiency Awards Finalist Palmstead Nurseries A recycling system was constructed to harves
10. wastes 320 litres per day 99 28 per year 6mm 3mm s stream wastes stream wastes 985 litres per day 3 500 litres per day 305 60 per year 1085 88 per year Taps and hosepipes Fix dripping taps promptly and where taps are used regularly consider fitting automatic shut off valves to make sure that they are not left running when unattended Fitting self closing trigger nozzles to hosepipes will help you to e control the flow of water e direct the water more accurately to where it is needed e eliminate wastage when the hose is unattended Check the nozzles regularly to make sure that they are free from blockages and damage Washing and cleaning You can use dry cleaning techniques such as scrapers squeegees and brushes to remove solid waste from yards and pens before you clean them with water This will reduce the amount of water you use as well as the volume of dirty water that needs treating storing and disposing of It will also reduce the risk of creating diffuse pollution Top tip pre soak If it takes a lot of water and effort to clean your parlour after milking you could use a small amount of water a bucket or so to lightly wet the parlour first This will make the muck stick less reducing the amount of water that you will need to use to clean after milking Alternative sources of water rainwater You can re use rain collected from the roofs of farm b
11. wholesome affordable food while conserving and enhancing the fabric and wildlife of the British countryside for future generations LEAF s vision for the future is of a sustainable system of agriculture which meets the economic needs of farmers addresses the concerns of consumers and minimises any impact on the environment This can be achieved by adopting Integrated Farm Management IFM which provides a common sense and realistic way forward for farmers and land managers The LEAF Marque gives LEAF farmers recognition in the marketplace and consumers the choice to buy affordable food produced by farmers who are committed to improving the environment for the benefit of wildlife and the countryside Contact LEAF by telephone 02476 413911 or email enquiries leafuk org or consult www leafuk org National Farmers Union NFU The NFU is the largest democratic organisation providing professional representation to around three quarters of full time farmers and growers in England and Wales Its key objective is to promote the interests of those farming businesses producing high quality food and drink for customers and markets both at home and abroad It stands to promote the importance of British agriculture and horticulture in the context and circumstances of the 21st century Central to this objective is its encouragement of social environmental and welfare conscious farming practices and a desire to ensure the long term surviva
12. an Directive Its aim is to maintain and improve where necessary the health of the water environment and its associated ecosystems It requires all Member States to establish a range of measures to ensure the goal of aiming to achieve good ecological and chemical status for all surface waterbodies including estuaries and coastal waters and good chemical status for groundwater bodies is met by 2015 as long as these measures are not disproportionately costly To meet the objectives of the WFD it may be necessary to tackle the problem of diffuse water pollution from agriculture through regulation We therefore encourage farmers to begin thinking about how their farming practices may impact on the water environment Taking action now may help to reduce the effect of regulation on your farm This booklet can help you do this Syuej ondas pue suleJp pied surejp pl l ur punojSjepun s o8 1972M noqe July 0 paau osje NOA Seale 4I0 SAAI pue SAemajes Suiuonisod jo a uejioduii y edo s umop 5 55012 Sulu3nold jo si H 1ua18jJIp Y swous pue 1uaulup1eo L Ul MOU ULI MOY 5 15 1 MOjaq uieJ8elp au 105 eu uSnoju pue sued saupiip sAempeod Suoje sureip u3nolu 2 s qi 8 pue 1972M 2 5 u1oq uoeaJ ue sjueuruejuoo pue silos sjuaunu YIIYM ui S eM ju9J9jJIp ueuil 9Je 3194 Se uo 123jja ue aA eu jjeuajod
13. ay of working out where when and how much water you use The action plan is to identify where you can reduce the amount of water you use To carry out a water audit and develop a water management plan you need to follow five simple steps Step 1 Identify how much water you are using and how much it costs Step 2 Carry out an inventory of the water you use Step 3 Calculate how much water you should be using Step 4 Identify and compare water efficiency activities to reduce the amount of water you use Step 5 Create implement and review your waterwise action plan The following information will help you during these steps e your water bills from the last two years a longer record will make your assessment more accurate e details of any abstraction licence s you hold e the number and type species and age of livestock on your farm your crop protection and irrigation records a map of the water network on your farm showing water pipes and uses To get the best out of this booklet we recommend that you read through it all before developing your waterwise action plan Step 1 Identify how much water you are using and how much it costs Identify all your sources of water on the farm Possible water sources include mains water supplied by your water supply company 10 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm e water abstracted from rivers streams canals springs or boreholes e on farm ponds or
14. conservation regulatory and government organisations to develop and promote best practice to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides More information is available from www voluntaryinitiative org uk Discharge consents Under the Water Resources Act 1991 it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit polluting matter to enter into surface or groundwater without permission Permission is obtained through a discharge consent granted by the Environment Agency The Environment Agency sets conditions in a consent related to volumes and concentrations of particular substances or impose broader controls on the nature of any effluent Each consent is based on the objective set by the Environment Agency for the quality of the stretch of water to which the discharge is made as well as any relevant standards from EC Directives Anyone who wishes to make a discharge or is thinking about making a discharge should contact their local Environment Agency office in the first instance The Environment Agency welcomes early discussions on such proposals which can often save time and prove to be useful in identifying any potential problems in advance Groundwater Directive The Groundwater Directive prevents groundwater being polluted by controlling discharges and disposals including accidental loss of certain dangerous substances where they are not already covered by existing legislation If you want to dispose of dilute sheep dip dilute pes
15. e erosion and improve water infiltration where appropriate Relocate gates to block run off pathways e Check for signs of capping and compaction subsoil where necessary Consider arable erosion for high erosion risk fields Nutrients and fertilisers e Integrate manure and fertiliser management plans Test soils for N P K and pH every 4 5 years Incorporate slurry into soil ASAP after spreading or use methods such as injecting e Ensure there is sufficient slurry and dirty water storage to prevent untimely spreading Compost manure before spreading Consider precision farming techniques Livestock management e Move stock and supplementary feeders regularly to avoid poaching Ensure all stock and farm tracks are well drained and sited away from watercourses Avoid over grazing and poaching match stocking to carrying capacity ocate out wintered stock and sacrifice areas away from watercourses Develop a feed plan which takes into account N and P levels from all feedstuffs Protecting watercourses Fence off watercourses in fields regularly used for keeping livestock Provide alternative drinking arrangements with pasture pumps etc e Construct livestock crossings for watercourses regularly used by livestock Crop protection e Establish buffer zones alongside all watercourses Use low drift technology Regularly maintain and calibrate sprayers Make sure that areas used
16. e water you use Step 3 Calculate how much water you should be using Step 4 Identify and compare water efficiency activities to reduce the amount of water you use Step 5 Create implement and review your waterwise action plan Water efficiency actions All farms Dairy farms Pig and poultry farms Irrigators Washing vegetables In the office home Further help and information Partnership organisations Other organisations Forms and tables Further case studies Environment Agency Waterwiae on the farm 10 10 12 12 14 14 16 16 18 19 19 20 20 21 24 26 27 33 Introduction Being waterwise is good for farming and good for the environment Being waterwise is about understanding how water flows around your farm and yard recognising how you and your farming practices affect these flows and promoting water efficiency so that you save money and reduce the risk of causing pollution The first chapter of this booklet illustrates how water flows around the farm and describes how being waterwise can help reduce the risk of causing pollution Chapters 2 and 3 explain how to carry out a water audit and develop a waterwise action plan on your farm This will help you to e reduce the amount of water and energy you use e reduce the volume of dirty water that needs treating and disposing of save money and increase your profits e reduce risk of causing water pollution Case studies and practical advice that has
17. ent agency gov uk The Environment Agency recommends that you consult them early about any proposed licence application or trade so that they can let you know about possible licence conditions before you invest in a formal application Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 21 Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies In April 2001 the Environment Agency began producing Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies CAMS The CAMS process was developed following a proposal set out by the Government in its publication Taking Water Responsibly CAMS will make information on the amount of water and licensing within a catchment available to the public and will also provide a greater opportunity for the public to become involved Where abstraction within a catchment is thought to be unsustainable the options for restoring a sustainable balance will be considered These will include making sure that the water abstracted is used efficiently The main objectives of CAMS are to make information on the amount of water and licensing within a catchment available to the public e to provide a consistent and structured approach to local water resources management recognising both the needs of abstractors and the environment e to provide the opportunity for the public to become more involved in managing abstractions at a catchment level e to provide a framework for managing time limited licences e to make licence trading
18. er company e abstraction licence charge from the Environment Agency e recycled water pumping storage and capital e dirty water storage treatment disposal and capital staff time operational and maintenance Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 11 2006 NFU water survey Early results from the NFU 2006 water survey suggest that the cost of water is higher than many people would think Even when a mains supply is not being used costs of pumping and possible treatment where needed as well as disposal costs means that the average cost of water is actually close to the cost of mains water supply Step 2 Carry out an inventory of the water you use Once you have found out how much water you use and how much it costs the next step is to find out where you use it Forms 2a and 2b pages 28 and 29 will help you to review how much water your equipment and animals use We give examples of the kinds of calculations you may need to make Examine how you use water When you have completed Forms 2a and 2b you can now examine how you use water Do you need to e use water for that activity Could you use dry clean methods such as scraping or brushing before or instead of vvashing dovvn yards and pens e useas much as you do Are hoses or taps left running Are dripping taps fixed quickly use high quality water for that activity Consider collecting rain and used water for washing down yards
19. for run off to flow into farming practices can still have an impact on water quality Good water quality is important because it provides clean drinking water safe bathing water healthy fisheries and natural ecosystems Healthy river systems can reduce the risk of flooding and also encourage recreation and leisure activities Water pollution Water pollution can be split into two main forms point source and diffuse Point source pollution comes from a single identifiable source such as a diesel spillage and is therefore easier to control Diffuse pollution can come from a range of activities on the farm such as the leaching of fertilisers or soil erosion which are spread out over a wide area and therefore harder to pinpoint and control Whilst there are other sources of diffuse pollution forestry industrial land use construction urbanisation transport etc agriculture is considered to be a significant contributor Agriculture covers approximately three quarters of the land area of England and Wales and many of the substances that can cause water pollution fertilisers pesticides manure and slurry even the soil itself are essential elements of farming 6 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm The risk of causing diffuse pollution can be greatly reduced by improving farming practices Table 1 on page 9 contains a list of suggestions Water Framework Directive The Water Framework Directive WFD is a Europe
20. gency in October 2007 In the agricultural sector IPPC will apply to large intensive pig and poultry producers farms with a capacity of more than 750 sows 2 000 finishing pigs over 30 kgs 40 000 poultry Pigs reared outdoors are excluded from IPPC Farms regulated under IPPC will need a permit to operate This permit will cover all aspects of farm management Priority areas include managing drainage systems and run off livestock diets managing manure and slurry systems For more information please visit www defra gov uk environment ppc ippcguide index htm Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Elevated levels of nitrates in waters are of concern because they can make water unfit to drink and can damage the aquatic environment It has been estimated that around 60 per cent of nitrogen in rivers in England and Wales comes from agricultural sources Currently about 55 per cent of land in England is designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones NVZs In these zones special rules the Action Programme apply regarding the spreading of organic manures and manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to control nitrate loss to waters The occupier of each farm or livestock unit with land in an NVZ must comply with the Action Programme To find out if land is designated as an NVZ please visit nvz adasis co uk maps index html Pesticides Voluntary Initiative The industry led Voluntary Initiative VI brings together a wide range of farming water
21. his water from the system and possibly collect and re use it Remember that while you may save money by changing from mains supply to a borehole you are not saving water or being more water efficient but merely using a different source of water Step 3 Calculate how much water you should be using When you know how much water you are using the next step is to work out how efficiently you are using it Using Forms 1 2a and 2b compare your expected use to your actual use If your actual use is more than 10 per cent greater than your expected use this indicates that you are using water inefficiently Even if the difference is less than 10 per cent it is still worth checking regularly how much water you use and following the water efficiency activities in the next chapter to carry on using water efficiently If your expected water use is less than your actual water use it may be that e your meter is over recording how much you are using e you have underestimated how much water your animals or crops need Example of a water network map Recycled water To field troughs Drinking troughs Rainvvater Hosepipe from VVash down d parlour VVash down roof Wash down To farmh R Dairy Parlour Collecting yard Cow Shed 1 1 O Meter S Rainwater from i d ye EE 7 cowshed roof Stop valve H t Air gap IDEAS 1 Divert
22. ight Record your meter reading at the start and the end of the period Has more water passed through the meter than you would expect for this period If so this indicates that you have a leak in your network that you will need to find You should isolate and drain sections of pipework or troughs that are not used over the winter to prevent frost damage that could result in a leak when they are refilled If an above ground pipe is in constant use you should lag it for the same reason Pressure management Water supplied by your local water company is usually at a pressure head of 40 metres 56 8 psi This may be higher than is necessary for day to day use around the farm The higher the water pressure the more water is wasted when a leak develops To reduce pressure control valves can be fitted at strategic points across your water network These allow a steady lower pressure flow to be delivered Top tip leak location If you have shut off valves on your water network shut off different sections in turn and then re perform the night flow test When the reading stops increasing the section that you have isolated will be the one with the leak in it Fact how much does a drip cost 4 litres per day go litres per day 1 24 per year 27 92 per year At a price of 8sp per m does not include disposal costs 43 E One drip per Drips breaking 1 5mm Die second wastes into stream waste stream
23. kit will be made available to farmers and the toolkit will be downloadable from the Defra website visit www defra gov uk Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 19 Washing vegetables Many farms now have to wash vegetables before they sell them to customers and this offers great potential for using water more efficiently e Recycling and re use Instead of letting water go to waste it can be recycled and used where high quality water is not needed or even cleaned and recycled for high quality use e Irrigation If it is of good enough quality water can be stored and used for irrigation purposes rather than letting it go to waste In the office home You should not see minimising the amount of water you use as just a business issue Experience has shown that the most successful waste minimisation schemes are those where staff are also encouraged to be waterwise in the office and at home Case Study Water Efficiency Award Commended LF Papworth Ltd In the office There are many areas where water may be used in the office using water efficient technology in the toilets and washing areas can provide considerable savings Businesses can access advice on water saving on the Envirowise website at www envirowise gov uk water or by calling 0800 585794 In the home There are many ways of cutting down on water used in the home without compromising on either comfort or hygiene The key to water efficiency is reducing waste
24. l of viable rural communities The NFU is at the forefront of agricultural and environmental policy and takes a close interest in the whole range of rural affairs working with politicians and officials both in the UK and internationally as well as other groups and organisations to advance rural interests It has particularly close links with consumer groups countryside and wildlife bodies animal welfare organisations and academics For more information contact NFU on 024 7685 8500 orlog on to www nfuonline com For the Welsh head office call 01982 554200 or log on to www nfu cymru org uk Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 25 Other organisations Country Landowners and Business Association CLA The CLA represents and supports business in rural communities Its members represent the breadth of the rural economy of England and Wales The CLA can provide information and advice on all areas of water use including water abstraction and irrigation general on farm water use reservoirs ponds and lakes For more information consult www cla org uk or telephone 020 72350511 Envirowise Envirowise offers UK businesses free independent confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits minimise waste and reduce environmental impact Even though Envirowise s remit does not cover agriculture as such many of the activities associated with washing processing and running a water efficient office are covered i
25. lity filters typically have an efficiency of 90 per cent and so a factor of 0 9 The manufacturer will be able to supply the model specific efficiency rating Example A farm building with a pitched roof area of 300 m using a downpipe filter unit with an efficiency of 90 per cent in an area with 1 200 mm annual rainfall would yield 300 x 0 9 x 0 9 x 1 200 291 600 litres of rainwater annually e How much you can store This depends on the space you have for storage and your demand for water For regular demand such as stock watering you will only need to store a few days requirement Irregular uses that need a lot of water such as irrigation will probably need a larger tank Harvesting rainwater is particularly suited to dairy farms as they tend to be located in the wetter areas of the country and have a regular demand for water A study by the Environment Agency has found that a typical dairy farm could meet 20 per cent of its water use with rainwater Before using rainwater you should check that this does not breach any hygiene or farm assurance scheme requirements that you are part of Dairy farms Re using plate cooling water t is possible to re use plate cooling water for watering livestock or washing down the collecting yards Cows may even prefer warm drinking water especially in the winter Re using plate cooling water will not only reduce Case Study LEAF Demonstration Farmer Robert Kynaston the q
26. me actions that you can take to use water more efficiently All farms These water efficiency measures could be applied on most farms and many of them are low or no cost options Leaks There are two main ways to check for leaks Visual checks Using your water network map see Chapter 2 check the ground above your pipes to look for visible signs of a leak Such signs can include e unusually damp ground e lusher than expected vegetation for a recent leak e reduced vegetation for a long term leak because of reduced soil quality Flow monitoring There are two main techniques that you can use to detect leaks that you cannot see e record your meter readings See night flow top tip e specialist leak detection If you suspect that the leak is deeply buried or under concrete then there is various equipment that you can use to detect this This includes listening sticks remote listening devices pressure fluctuation sensors and intelligent meters that know your expected water use patterns and then alert you to any unexpected flows To find such services either consult your local Yellow Pages or contact your local water company to see whether they run a leak detection programme 16 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Top tip night flow check A night flow test involves checking your water meter over a period of time when you would expect water use to be minimal for example overn
27. mpetence in irrigation design installation and management For more information consult www ukia org Ulster Farmers Union UFU The UFU is the democratic voluntary organisation representing farmers and growers in Northern Ireland Its main objective is to promote their interests both at home and abroad through professional lobbying For more information consult www ufuni org or telephone 028 90 370222 Water Service Northern Ireland For water resources issues in Northern Ireland please contact Water Service Northern Ireland who are responsible for delivering water and sewerage services For more information consult www waterni gov uk Anuenb yenuue je3o 1 U10 15201 53502 e1ide 10J 19470 pue 51502 Hbl Jesodsip 191eM Avg 19 10 p s ulun e30 UOHESLU 1978M USEM 9 qe1989A 10J Jayem P l242 N seu iip We woy Apap sjeurue Aq yunip 19 eM ajdwexa so21nos 19u10 e8e101s ldulex 10J 19 eMUIBJ p 10 S pajajeuium 15301 Jayempunols 50 4 E5A DLNS uonoeJgsqv 1502 Jenuuy y Iaugnn JayenH G T jenuuy Jayem Ajddns suiew 1502 pue Ajddns Ja eM T W104 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 27
28. n useful publications and leaflets which are available on www envirowise gov uk water or on 0800 585794 Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group FWAG FWAG provides farmers and landowners with practical advice to support wildlife landscape archaeology access and other conservation issues For more information consult www fwag org uk Farm Energy Centre FEC The FEC provides advice to farmers on all issues concerning energy conservation For more information consult www farmenergy com or telephone 02476 696512 Local water company Your local water company may be able to help you with water efficiency issues See your water bill or Yellow Pages for contact details 26 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm National Farmers Union of Scotland NFUS The NFUS promotes and protects the interests of the Scottish farming industry It influences Government in Scotland Whitehall and Brussels and it helps its members to meet the needs of their customers consumers and the environment For more information consult www nfus org uk or telephone 0131 4724000 UK Irrigation Association UKIA provides up to date information on irrigation to its members and has been a voice supporting irrigation since it was set up following the droughts in the mid 1970s UKIA is not a trade association it runs for the benefit of its individual members and promotes all aspects of irrigation by providing information and helping to improve knowledge and co
29. ners 20kg 4 2 0 29 Growers lt 50kg 5 4 0 37 Finishing pigs 11 55 0 23 Sheep Dipping per head Total ewes 52 4 5 2 25 Rams and other 52 3 3 2 25 adult sheep Lambs under 1 yr 52 1 7 2 25 Poultry Pullets 16 0 09 5 Broilers 7 0 2 5 Laying hens 56 0 2 6 caged Laying hens 56 0 22 6 non caged Broiler and layer 44 0 19 5 breeders amp cocks Ducks 7 1 22 5 Turkeys m 20 0 71 5 Turkeys f 16 0 45 5 30 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Table 3 Conversion factors Metric Other units Imperial Length 1 centimetre cm 10 millimetres mm 0 39 inch in 1 metre m 100 cm 1 09 yards 1 kilometre km 1 000 m 0 62 mile 0 03 m 2 54 cm 1in 0 91m 91 44 cm 1 yard 1 61 km 1 609 m 1 mile Area 1 square centimetre cm 100 square millimetres mm 0 16 square inch in 1 square metre m 1m 1 square kilometre km 10 000 cm 1 20 square yards yards 100 hectares ha 1 500 in 10 76 square feet feet 247 11 acres 6 45 cm 1 in 0 84 m 9 feet 1 yard 0 004 km 4046 86 m 1 acre Pressure 1 000 millimetre water mm 1 metre H O 1 42 psi Volume 1 cubic centimetre cm 0 000001 cubic metres m 0 06 cubic inch in 1 cubic metre m 1 000 litres 35 32 cubic feet feet 1m 1 31 cubic yards yards 1 cubic decametre dm 1 litre 0 22 gallo
30. ng most at risk of failing the Water Framework Directive targets due to diffuse water pollution from agriculture The grant will focus on low cost items such as watercourse fencing pasture pumps etc For more information please visit www defra gov uk farm environment water csf capita l grants htm or speak to your Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer Wales also has a Catchment Sensitive Farming Demonstration Project which has a capital grants element For more information please visit www wales gov uk catchmentsensitive Enhanced Capital Allowances Enhanced Capital Allowances ECAs enable a business to claim 100 per cent first year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery There are three schemes for ECAs e energy saving technologies low carbon dioxide emission cars and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure e water efficient technologies including rainwater harvesting equipment Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these technologies against their taxable profits for the period during which they make the investment For more information please visit VVVVVV eCa gov uk This scheme may be extended beyond this date please visit the website for further details Obtaining or trading an abstraction licence in England and Wales Anyone intending to abstract more than 20m of water per day for agricultural use from inland and tidal water
31. ns 1 millimetre per hectare mm ha 10m 2 199 69 gallons 16 39 cm 0 02 litres 1in 0 03 m 0 04 yards 1 foot 0 77 m 168 18 gallons 1 yard 4 55 litres 8 pints 1 gallon 0 57 litres 20 fluid ounces fl oz 1 pint Weight 1 gram g 1 000 milligrams mg 0 04 ounce oz 1 kilogram kg 1 000 g 2 2 pounds lb 1 tonne t 1 000 kg 0 98 ton 1 cubic metre m 1t 28 35 g 102 0 45 kg 16 oz 11b 1 016t 20 hundredweight cwt 1 ton Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 31 Table 4 Example Waterwise Action Plan Waterwise Action Plan Raise awareness e Involve everyone including family and staff e Hold meetings at least once a year with all members of staff to discuss the use and management of water around the farm and identify with them opportunities for improvement Make sure staff are aware of the importance of using dry cleaning techniques such as brush scraper and squeegee before washing down solid waste soil etc Make sure that all new members of staff and contractors are aware of the approach to water use on the farm Routine maintenance checks e During field walking stock checking check all taps and water troughs in the farmyard and in outlying fields Once a quarter check all hoses and trigger nozzles to identify blockages and wear and tear Once a quarter check pressure washers against the manufacturer s recommended operating instructions Before winter check all pipe
32. other winter stored water e water drunk by animals from non metered sources for example from puddles or by eating wet grass e re used water such as plate cooling water or harvested rainwater Use Form 1 page 27 to record the amount and cost of the water that you use each year If you expect water consumption from unrecorded sources such as eating wet grass to be high then you can use a percentage of the theoretical daily consumption data in Table 2 page 30 to calculate this If you collect or recycle any water such as rainwater or plate cooling water then you will need to include this The section on alternative sources of water in Chapter 3 page 17 will help you calculate how much rainwater you can collect Once you have a record of the water you use you can use this to help you understand any seasonal changes in your water use patterns and it will also enable you to watch out for unexpected changes Plotting the water you use on a graph may help you to do this Top tip meter reading Set up a routine for monitoring how much water you use Regularly read and record every water meter on the farm If possible you should do this at least once a month This will alert you to any changes in the amount of water you use and could indicate a problem such as a leaking pipe or a faulty ballcock in a water trough It may also alert you to problems with your pipes such as blockages that may be holding back production
33. possible CAMS could potentially affect farm abstraction licences Further details are available in a booklet entitled Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy Process Managing Water Abstraction which is available from the Environment Agency See www environment agency gov uk cams 22 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Mains contamination The Water Supply Water Fittings Regulations 1999 make it a legal duty for installers and users of water fittings notto cause or permit waste misuse undue consumption or contamination of the supply of wholesome water Preventing contamination of mains water supplies by back syphonage or backflow is particularly relevant to farmers and inspections are carried out by your local water company Where water from sources other than the mains supply are used for example abstracted water or harvested rainwater there must be adequate backflow prevention typically a Type AA air gap to prevent contaminating the mains supply Specific guidance entitled Water Supply Systems Prevention of Contamination and Waste of Drinking Water Supplies Agricultural Premises is available free of charge from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme WRAS on 01495 248454 or consult www wras co uk Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control The UK Pollution Prevention and Control regime implements EC Directive 96 61 EC on integrated pollution prevention and control It will be fully implemented by the Environment A
34. q Environment LENS Agency LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING Integrated Farm Management def ILI Version 2 A simple guide to implementing a water management plan We are the Environment Agency It s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place for you and for future generations Your environment is the air you breathe the water you drink and the ground you walk on Working with business Government and society as a whole we are making your environment cleaner and healthier The Environment Agency Out there making your environment a better place Published by Environment Agency Rio House Waterside Drive Aztec West Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4UD Tel 0870 8506506 Email enquiries environment agency gov uk www environment agency gov uk Environment Agency All rights reserved This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency March 2007 Why save water on the farm We tend to think of Britain as wet and rarely short of water However our variable climate high population density and the many different ways in which we use water mean that at certain times and in certain places water resources are scarce This affects the quality of our numerous habitats that depend on water Climate change is likely to result in wetter winters and drier summers and create increasing pressure on the water available Using water more efficiently no
35. rainvvater from shed D M T Tap irty e and parlour roofs to water tank eect oot To off farm disposal gt Drain recycled water tank x EN Fit stop valves to taps in Mains water parlour and yard Recycled water Fit trigger nozzle to hosepipe in yard Dirty water Case Study Water Efficiency Awards Commendation JR Weekes amp Sons Mr Weekes and his sons who run a dairy farm in South Wales have introduced several measures designed to improve overall water efficiency and reduce wastage Isolation valves are installed in each leg of the pipework that supplies the animal drinking troughs The legs are drained and inspected during the winter All pipework above ground is lagged to protect against bursts and leakage in winter and all visible pipes and troughs are inspected daily for leakage Comparing the difference To compare the percentage difference between your expected and your actual water use you need to subtract the total theoretical water use from Forms 2a and 2b from the actual water use Form 1 to get the difference between the two Don t forget to convert the totals into the same units before you start conversion factors are given in Table 3 Then divide the result by your total theoretical water use Forms 2a and 2b and multiply by 100 to get the percentage difference between your actual and your theoretical water use Percentage difference total form 1 sum of totals
36. s in England and Wales must obtain a licence from the Environment Agency An abstraction licence gives you a right to take a specified quantity of water and guarantees that no one else can take it Before issuing a licence the Environment Agency first checks that there is sufficient water available and that there are no unacceptable affects on the environment or other water users Licences are usually issued for 12 years and contain conditions to protect other water users and the environment If you hold an abstraction licence in an area where there is insufficient water available for new licences you may be entitled to trade your licence with other farmers To carry out a trade abstraction is reduced at one point in the catchment allowing it to be licensed elsewhere Forthe trade to workthe licences must be within the same catchment and there must be a hydrological link between the abstraction points Trades will not be allowed if they could cause environmentally stressed catchments if the new abstraction uses more water than the original licence or ifthe new abstraction is closerto a sensitive wetland or river To prevent damage to the environment the Environment Agency may place conditions on traded licences The Environment Agency s approach to issuing abstraction licences and to water rights trades in individual catchments throughout England and Wales is set out in Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies CAMS See www environm
37. s and troughs Drain those not in use and lag pipes as appropriate Phased programme to implement improvements e Fit trigger operated nozzles to all hosepipes by the end of quarter two e Fit shut off valves to all taps in the farmyard by the end of quarter three Get quotes for fitting pipework to divert rain from barn roof to storage tank Monitoring programme e Carry out weekly water meter reading to identify fluctuations in water use and identify leaks Review progress against benchmark each quarter 32 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Further Case Studies The Game Conservancy Trust s Allerton Project Soil cultivations are required to most establish most crops However whenever soil is loosened it increases the likelihood of some kind of erosion taking place At its worst this can result in the formation of gullies at its least diffuse pollution of water courses with fine soil particles coming from under field drains At the Game Conservancy Trust s Allerton Project at Loddington in Leicestershire the farm is looking at ways of reducing soil loss but without compromising profitable crop production Methods include e where possible altering the direction of tramlines from up and down the slope to across the slope recent trials have shown up to 80 per cent of soil erosion can be attributed to eroding tramlines e placing beetle banks across slopes creating a natural barrier installing gras
38. sed for the farms septic tank Pig and poultry farms Animal drinkers Regularly check the water drinkers to make sure they are securely fastened and there are no blockages When replacing drinkers consider investing in an alternative design such as nipple and cup drinkers in poultry units or bite type drinkers in bowls within a pig unit as these reduce the amount of water wasted by the animals playing with the drinkers Irrigators By making effective and efficient use of your irrigation water you will be able to make your resources go further and potentially add more value to your crops You will also reduce the risk of causing diffuse pollution through over irrigating Some suggestions are listed below e Pump and pipe size Make sure that you are using the correct pump and pipe size trying to pump too much water through a small pipe will increase friction reducing pressure at the end and increase the chance of a leak occurring e Boom irrigation instead of gun irrigation for fields will apply water more accurately improving efficiency and resulting in a better quality crop e Trickle irrigation for certain crop types such as ornamental trees can greatly reduce water consumption Don t irrigate when it is windy as this will result in uneven application and if you are using a spray gun may result in water drifting onto areas that do not need watering e irrigate at night as this will reduce the amount of
39. sy field margins at the bottom of the slope e switching the direction of cultivation to across the slope e chopping and incorporating straw rather than baling on sloping ground e reducing the number and intensity of cultivations e installing mini silt traps in field ditches e sowing stewardship mixes in vulnerable gullies e repairing broken field drains e sowing green covers or encouraging natural re generation on winter stubbles While each of these methods will reduce soil losses by only a small degree together the result can give a more substantial improvement Natures Way Food Ltd Natures Way Food Ltd are a company who process and produce pre packed salads and vegetables for major supermarkets and catering companies They have recently changed their practices to increase water efficiency Some 98 per cent of waste water from factory processes is now recycled into reservoirs to irrigate salad crops They have also made changes to their washing in the factory and water savings are now recorded weekly The company also harvests rainwaterto 2 lagoons which are attractive to wildlife Waterless urinals have also been installed in the company offices Water savings of 35 per cent have been achieved CA Strawson Farming Ltd By installing a number of weather stations the farm now receives more accurate information on irrigation requirements and has cut down on watering The change from a gun to a boom irrigation system has saved both
40. t all drainage water on the site of this Kent nursery which produces a million container shrubs each year Rainwater from building roofs and run off from container standing beds is now transferred by pipe to a holding lagoon pumped into a 27 300m reservoir and then used for irrigation This has resulted in e water consumption cut by 58 per cent e savings of 30 000 per year e payback periods of 4 to 5 years Calculating payback periods To determine a payback period of a water saving action for example fitting trigger nozzles to two hosepipes you will need to estimate the annual savings and potantial maintenance cost Payback period in years capital cost annual savings annual maintenance costs Example Capital cost 2 trigger nozzles at 10 each 20 Annual savings 10 minutes less use of the hose per day at 30 litres a minute 109 500 litres per year 109 5m per year At a price of 85p per m 93 08 per year Annual maintenance costs 5 minutes check and clean for both nozzles per month 5 x 12 months 1 hour per year At a staff cost of 15 per hour 15 per year Payback period 20 20 0 25 of a year 3 months 93 08 15 78 08 Note This does not include any savings in dirty water disposal costs or improved efficiency in cleaning due to having a better water jet Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 15 3 Water efficiency actions Listed below are so
41. t only makes good business sense it will also help to protect a vital natural resource This document which has been tried and tested by farmers will help you to assess whether you are making the best use of your water resources and may generate ideas for improvements Due to the success of the first version of Waterwise the original partners Environment Agency Linking Environment And Farming LEAF and the National Farmers Union NFU were keen to publish an updated version including information on diffuse pollution We welcome Defra s involvement in helping to achieve this All the organisations involved have been pleased to work together on a project that gives farmers the opportunity to make practical and cost effective changes to the way they manage their farms so they can avoid problems in the future We hope you find this booklet useful and we look forward to working with you on improving the quality of our environment Sir John Harman Chairman Environment Agency e lan Pearson Tony VVorth Environment Minister Chairman Linking Environment and Farming Peter Kendall Dai Davies President National Farmers Union President National Farmers Union Cymru iy n yah hee Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 3 Contents Introduction 4 Water on the farm How to carry out a water audit and action plan Step 1 Identify how much water you are using and how much it costs Step 2 Carry out an inventory of th
42. ticides and washings vegetable and bulb dips drenches or fruit and vegetable washings by landspreading you need a groundwater authorisation These are granted by the Environment Agency More information can be found at www netregs gov uk Silage slurry and agricultural fuel oil regulations If you operate a farm in England or Wales that makes or stores silage stores slurry or fuel oil for agricultural purposes and your storage facilities were constructed or substantially altered after 1991 then these regulations apply to you You can find more information at www netregs gov uk Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 23 5 Partnership organisations Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Defra Defra s main purpose is to improve the current and future quality of life For the first time one department has brought together the interests of farmers and the countryside the environment and the rural economy the food we eat the air we breathe and the water we drink Defra is responsible for all aspects of water policy in England To tackle the specific problem of diffuse water pollution from agriculture Defra has set up the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme which includes a voluntary Delivery Initiative For more information on the CSF Programme or any other water related policies please visit www defra gov uk farm environment water csf The environment farming is a devolved issue therefore for more informa
43. tion on related policy outside England please visit www scotland gov uk www dardni gov uk Northern Ireland www wales gov uk 24 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Environment Agency The Environment Agency is a statutory organisation whose role it is to manage water resources in England and Wales The Environment Agency s vision for the next 25 years is abstraction of water that is environmentally and economically sustainable providing the right amount of water for people agriculture commerce and industry and an improved water related environment For further information on water efficiency contact the Water Demand Management team via email savewater environment agency gov uk or telephone 01903 832275 or consult www environment agency gov uk savewater For further information on Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies CAMS abstraction licences or any other aspect of the Environment Agency s work contact the Environment Agency general enquiry line by telephone 08708 506506 or consult www environment agency gov uk cams Linking Environment And Farming LEAF LEAF is a membership charity helping farmers improve their environment and business performance and focusing on creating a better public understanding of farming through a nationwide network of demonstration farms LEAF is committed to a viable agriculture which is environmentally and socially acceptable and ensures the continuity of supply of
44. uantity of water taken from the mains supply but it will also reduce the amount of water that needs treating storing and disposing of and the risk of creating diffuse pollution Fact Plate coolers use between two and three litres of water for each litre of milk cooled For a 150 cow herd yielding 22 litres of milk per cow a plate cooler will use up to 9 900 litres of water each day Compare this to the drinking requirements of the same herd they drink approximately 10 500 litres of water each day Water troughs Overflowing water troughs and incorrectly set or damaged ball valves can waste significant amounts of water You can adjust ball valves to lower the float so that there is less risk of spillage and overflowing Water leakages in fields can result in increased poaching which can contribute to diffuse pollution You should drain troughs when they are not being used during the winter to reduce frost damage Fact A leaking ball valve in a water trough can waste up to 150 m of water per year this is nearly the same amount of water that a family of four would use in a year A fractured ball valve can waste up to 2 000 m which is enough water to meet the drinking requirements of 80 cows in milk for a whole year Replacement valve seats cost less than 10p The Milk Development Council are developing a booklet specifically for dairy farmers providing information and recommendations on how to utilise water more efficiently
45. ue saniAnoe UV juauiupje au punoJje SMO MOH Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 7 YUP ay 0 ssa22 122JIp UE ue 20 S AI PUL YIP au 0 AjJDaJIP Spee UIEID siu se a1e5 aye 0 Spaau ay 1 A MOH 210 S unjs pue uooSe e ojur 1972M AIP siu JNO pajejedes e sey pue pied 514 WOU Jjo uni dn 104 paq e sey Suns mey Suen 51 3403S pl ns d aJnoas e 208 up 110 siu pepunq seu y ejdurexe 5141 l PE e MO UL 1972M NOU SMOUS MOl Q Ulel8elp ay AQUOW NOA aAes pue eonpoujd NOA Ja eM AUID JO euinjoA v BINPa edel S y Ain pi NOA djay pjnous asimiajem Bulag 01 Mol Adu H UM pue aie SUIEID y l uM AU EIIODUGO pie uuJej y punoje SMO 1972M MOY PUR SJaPUN o juejioduii osje s U uonnjjod esnyjip Sulsne Jo del ay np l OL piewe ay punoje smo MOH Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 8 Table 1 Suggested farming practices for tackling diffuse water pollution Integrated Farm Management IFM FM as a whole farm approach provides a framework for implementing the list of suggestions below Soil Protection Use cover crops to ensure minimal amount of bare soil reduce wind erosion and capture surplus N Establish in field grass strips to catch any surface run off e Plough along contours use minimum tillage direct drill and leave seedbeds rough to reduc
46. uildings for a variety of activities including washing down yards and washing equipment How much rainwater you can use depends on e how much rain you receive If you do not know your annual rainfall your local Environment Agency office may be able to tell you the figure for your nearest rain gauge See Chapter 5 for contact details Please have your grid reference handy as this will speed up your enquiry e how much you can collect This will vary depending on the size slope and material that your roof is made from Do not collect the water if your roof is made from or coated with bitumen metals other than stainless steel or concrete containing asbestos Calculating collectable rainwater Collectable rainwater litres roof area m x drainage factor x filter efficiency x annual rainfall mm Drainage factor This allows for evaporation that occurs when water is retained in irregularities in the roofing material The factor can be viewed as the percentage of the rainwater that will flow off the roof Examples of factors for different roof types are given in the following table Piched roof tiles 0 75 0 9 Flat roof smooth tiles 0 5 Flat roof with gravel layer 0 4 0 5 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 17 Filter efficiency Filters designed specifically for collecting rainwater will reject the first flush of rainwater which carries any contaminants Such as leaves or bird droppings off the roof High qua
47. water and electricity as water is applied with greater accuracy to the base of the crop reducing wastage Previously the farm used mains water for washing vegetables and then let it go to waste Now the water is recycled in a number of different ways e for potatoes the water is cleaned through a cyclone filtration system and then re used in the wash process e for other vegetables water is re used for brush and barrel washing before being recycled e when the water is changed from time to time it is carried by piping and used to irrigate a willow coppice Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm 33 34 Environment Agency Waterwise on the farm Would you like to find out more about us or about your environment Then call us on 08708 506 506 Mon Fri 8 6 email enquiries environment agency gov uk or visit our website www environment agency gov uk incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 24hrs floodline 0845 988 1188 qa Environment first This publication is printed on paper made 2 from 100 per cent previously used waste By products from making the pulp and paper are used for composting and fertiliser for making cement and for generating energy GEHO0307BLVH E P
48. water that evaporates and is lost to your crops e Schedule your irrigation according to accepted methods which take account of evapotranspiration or soil moisture deficits as this will result in using limited supplies more effectively Commercial advisers can help you prioritise crops and fields in terms of the water they need e Equipment Regularly check the condition of your pumps mains and hydrants and repair worn items such as Seals e Ensure irrigation is uniform rates are not too high and droplet size is not too big to prevent sealing and run off which could cause diffuse pollution Defra and Adas have produced four best practice guides for irrigators e Water management for field vegetable crops a guide for vegetable growers e Water management for soil and substrate grown crops a guide for top and soft fruit growers e A guide for container grown ornamentals e Irrigation best practice Water management for potatoes a guide for growers Copies are available from Adas Boxworth Telephone 01954 268214 Building on the best practice guides Defra have commissioned ADAS to produce a water audit toolkit for growers of arable and field vegetables including potatoes The toolkit available from autumn 2007 features practical advice and spreadsheet tools in the form of a booklet and CD ROM which will enable farmers to monitor water use and plan future savings A number of hard copies of the tool
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