LOWER CLWYD WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FINAL REPORT DECEMBER 2019 1. Introduction and Objectives This report summarises the work carried out on the Lower Clwyd to reduce the impact of cattle grazing on water quality through reduced silt and bacteria input. The objectives of the Project are: Objective 1 – to improve the water quality of the lower Clwyd to help Rhyl EC Beach maintain ‘Sufficient’ status with a possible longer-term objective of ‘Good’. This will be achieved through reducing stock access to watercourses within the bathing season (1st May to 30th Sept.). Studies have shown that the greatest bacterial contributor from agriculture during the bathing season is from stock access. This is mainly cattle and included the passage of dairy herds through streams.
Objective 2 – by setting back the fencing of at least 2m, buffer zones will be created to reduce field run-off entering the channel. This will reduce pollutants and nutrients entering the watercourse.
Objective 3 - the creation of buffer zones and reduction in bank and stream bed compaction will improve habitats, fisheries and create wildlife corridors.
The Project was carried out in partnership with Natural Resources Wales who led on delivery of phase 1.
Rhyl EC Beach is classified as ‘Sufficient’ under the revised Bathing Water Directive and has been since the introduction of the revised methodology of the Directive in 2015. NRW have been working towards reducing faecal bacteria levels in the bathing waters at Rhyl, to ensure no deterioration in classification in the short term and to push the classification towards ‘Good’ in the medium term.
The bathing waters at Rhyl are heavily influenced by the River Clwyd, especially on an incoming tide. In wet weather, bacteria levels increase in rivers from both human and agricultural sources and on such occasions bathing water like Rhyl are impacted by higher bacterial levels. In recent years, NRW have worked closely with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to ensure that their sewerage assets are performing as designed. They have also worked closely with private dischargers e.g. caravan parks and removed several misconnections from the catchment. A significant contributor to bacteria levels in rural catchments is agriculture, especially during wet weather. Studies have shown that when cattle have unrestricted access to a stream or river, this can lead to elevated bacteria in that watercourse, compared to a similar area where fencing restricts access. The aim
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was to work with the farming community to identify potential areas for improvement and with the agreement of the farmer, install the required fencing and provide alternative means of drinking water.
Location of the Lower Clwyd Project Area
2. Phase 1 As part of phase 1 of the Project NRW identified approximately 420 farmers with land in the lower Clwyd and officers contacted around 200 of these to offer advice on farming practices and the impact of bacterial loading from cattle in the streams and rivers. They also raised awareness of Farming Connect and their work in the area providing advice on farm improvements and funding sources. The visits also identified areas where stock had free access to the watercourses and farmers could work with NRW to install fencing with alternative water supply for the stock. NRW then carried out nine separate schemes. The schemes vary from the closure of a single drinking bay and installation of a solar pump kit and trough, to mains water connection and fencing of around 400m of the river. The agreements are for a duration of five years. The completion of these nine schemes will restrict stream access to up to 500 cattle. Whilst a reduction in bacterial loading is the main goal, a reduction in nutrients entering the streams, a reduction in disturbed stream beds and banks and an increase in bankside vegetation will also benefit the environment. The locations are detailed on the map below:
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A selection of photographs taken from the above schemes are shown below.
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Drinking Bays closed with Troughs installed
Cattle Drinking from Stream Stream Fenced and Trough Installed
Drinking Bays Closed with Troughs Installed for Water
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3. Phase 2 Phase 2 of the project in 2019 was led by the North Wales Rivers Trust using funding provided by Welsh Water’s Water Framework Directive Fund. It was focussed on two sites; the Ystrad and the main Clwyd at Pont Dafydd. The Ystrad Project involved fencing out around 1.3km of double riverbank, improvement to a cattle crossing bridge and provision of an alternative drinking water supply from a nearby spring.
Pictures of before and after fencing on the Ystrad
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The Project at Pont Dafydd on the lower Clywd involved the removal of a major obstruction caused by two large willow trees across the river channel causing significant erosion of both riverbanks. This was affecting the fencing keeping cattle out of the river. Gaps in fencing totalling 1km were filled creating a secure buffer zone along this section of the river.
Pictures of before and after removal of a major obstruction of fallen trees and debris
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4. Outcomes The following outcomes were achieved by the Project: • A total of 11 priority areas were identified where cattle had unrestricted access to the river. • Schemes to install stock fencing and alternative drinking water supplies were provided at these sites to enable cattle to be excluded from the river. • A total of 2.7km of riverbank were fenced and alternative cattle drinking facilities provided excluding around 750 cattle from the river. • The result of this work will reduce the bacterial loading in the lower Clwyd catchment, but further improvements are needed to make a significant difference. NRW and the North Wales Rivers Trust will continue to work with partners to build on this initial work. The Rhyl bathing water remains in a ‘moderate’ condition and NRW will continue monitoring the Clwyd and the bathing water.
5. Summary of costs These were as follows: NRW staff costs: £14,000 North Wales Rivers Trust staff costs: £ 7,250 Contractor costs: £60,000 Total Project costs: £81,250
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