4. Improving water quality in our rivers and becks

Why?

Poor water quality is not only a problem for people but also for wildlife, especially fish. Whereas the River Wharfe as it flows through Addingham is in good condition our becks are not. Our main becks, Lumb Beck, Town Beck, Back Beck and Wine Beck all suffer from sediment and nutrient pollution. Sediment pollution comes from soil erosion and nutrient pollution comes from livestock manures, septic tank discharges, and runoff of dirty water from urban surfaces. From time to time we see misconnections where foul water from homes has been mistakenly plumbed into the rainwater sewer.

How?

If you see unusually discoloured water flowing in a beck, note the location, take a photograph, and ring the Environment Incident hotline to make a report. The number to call is 0800 80 70 60.
If you live in the countryside and have a septic tank make sure it is properly maintained and conforms with Government regulations: https://www.gov.uk/permits-you-need-for-septic-tanks
If you have a watercourse running through your property, leave a well-vegetated buffer zone along the banks and make sure the water is not contaminated by livestock or by fertiliser runoff from fields and gardens.
Only flush poo, pee and toilet paper. Everything else should go in the bin.
Use only phosphate free detergents to help prevent nutrient pollution of watercourses and reduce algal growth.
Use Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), especially water butts and permeable paving to minimise the flow of surface water from your property into drains. See: https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/severe-weather/flooding/sustainable-drainage-systems