Forestry and Water
We know that land management activities can impact water quality, so careful planning and management of forestry operations is important for helping to safeguard water quality in our drinking water catchments.
In our drinking water catchments, over 94,000 hectares of the land is covered by trees, including both commercial forestry and other types of woodland.
Well maintained trees and forestry infrastructure play a vital role in reducing run-off and soil erosion to positively impact water quality. Good canopy cover also reduces flooding and riparian corridors can enhance both terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
As efforts continue to expand woodland cover to meet future timber demands and enhance ecosystem services, we want to help promote those easy adaptations that can deliver for timber profitability, drinking water quality and the wider environment.
Through our work with forest managers, we have learnt that the following practices can positively impact forest services and water quality protection. Read on to find out more.
Sustainable Forest Practices
Implementing best practice, such as selective logging, reforestation, and afforestation, helps maintain forest health and ecosystem balance. Sustainable forestry ensures the long-term protection of water resources and the overall resilience of catchment areas.
By carefully planning and adhering to UK Forest Standards for Protecting Water, impacts of forestry operations on water quality can be greatly reduced in our drinking water catchments.
WaterSource Case Study: Talybont low impact forestry approach (PES)
Keep soil on land – once it’s gone, it’s gone!
Soil is the most important natural resource. Adoption of the following management practices together with allowing sufficient working distances from watercourses will help keep soil on the land and protect water quality:
- Minimizing clear-felling and using buffer zones along watercourses to help reduce soil erosion
- Silt traps and culvert installations can help reduce sedimentation in water bodies, which can otherwise affect water quality and aquatic habitats
- Identify sensitive areas and follow low impact forest management practices e.g. plant broadleaf varieties in riparian corridors
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 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
More advice available in the HSE’s Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products