Amenity and Water

There is a wide range of amenity areas within our drinking water catchment from parks and sports pitches to roads and railways that provide a vital function to the communities they serve.

Good management of amenity areas can help prevent losses of pesticides, sediment and fuels into watercourses, and reduce flood risk.

Significant efforts have been made in recent years by members of the sector such as local authorities, transport agencies and contractors to implement best practice to reduce impacts on water quality. We want to help promote those ways of working to deliver win-win outcomes for the community, drinking water quality and the wider environment.

Through our work with the amenity sector we have learnt that the following practices can positively impact management of amenity areas and water quality protection. Read on to find out more:

Be PestSmart – using pesticides responsibly

We know that pesticides can play an essential and everyday role. Although highly regulated, there is still a risk that pesticides can affect people, water and wildlife if they are stored, used or disposed of incorrectly.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is recommended for managing pests, diseases or weeds in a way that minimises the use of pesticides by taking a “prevention is better than cure approach”. Working through the IPM steps below can result in better results and longer-term control.

• Understand the root cause of the problem
• Look at ways to avoid it
• Consider non-pesticide control measures
• If using pesticides then use, store and dispose of them appropriately
• Record and measure the success, and adapt your approach for best results

Check out our PestSmart Booklet and Poster

Further advice is available in the HSE’s Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products and Amenity Forum.

Safe Use of Fuels and Oils

It is essential that best practice is followed for the storage, use and disposal of fuels and oils when on site to avoid spills which can wash into watercourses which can impact the quality and aquatic life. It’s recommended that spill kits are carried and used in the event of a spill, and any losses into water reported to Natural Resources Wales or Environment Agency who can notify us if its upstream of a water abstraction.

Find out more at Oil Care Campaign.

Managing Surface Water

Encourage installation of systems like swales, wetlands, rain gardens, and green roofs, to help manage surface water runoff. Slowing and reducing water flowing over the surface can reduce flooding risk and reduces the risk of water picking up substances like soil, pesticides, or oils which can impact water quality.

Find out more here about Dŵr Cymru’s approach to Sustainable Urban Drainage.