Our land-based projects range from Mycofiltration projects, to community litter picks and nature based solutions – read more below to find out about current projects underway, and proposed ones for the future…
Wetlands
Mycofiltration, Flete Field Lab
Holbeton
Non farming Landowners
~ Nature Based Solutions – Wetlands
There are many different streams that run into the Erme river and estuary. Despite best efforts to stop pollutants entering the watercourses they will all be carrying some level of pollution. Wetlands can play a vital role in helping us tackle our current water quality crisis by filtering out pollutants that pass through naturally occurring wetlands. These amazing qualities can also be harnessed and amplified through creating treatment wetlands.
Investigations are underway into where and how we might implement these nature based solutions.
Contact us to find out more.
~ Nature Based Solutions – Mycofiltration with Flete -Field Lab
Flete Field Lab, lead by Shelley Castle and Frank Fowley, are a local not-for-profit organisation with a primary focus on ecological restoration using biochar and mycelium. With support from the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, they have been running a number if field trials and research projects in and around Holbeton. One project in particular has been looking at the use of local Oyster Mushrooms for surface water treatment in the Holbeton Brook. The study used hessian sacks filled with straw and sawdust and impregnated with oyster mushroom spawn. These sacks were arranged in four rows or three across the stream flow, roughly 250m below one of the Holbeton Sewage Treatment Works storm overflows. Sampling sites were located upstream and downstream of sacks and the samples were tested for Phosphorus, Nitrates, Coliforms and E.coli. The results from this initial trial were very promising, showing and removal rates of 47% (E.coli), 32% (suspended particles), 28% (phosphorus) and 10% nitrates.
WATER is in discussions with the Flete Field Lab to extend these trials to three other locations in the catchment, starting in spring 2024.
To find out more about Flete Field lab, please visit their website, or email them using links below.
~ Surface Water Separation in Holbeton
As part of the new 14 house development in Holbeton, the developer is required to install an additional 200m of dedicated surface water drainage main along the high street. This provides a fantastic opportunity for connecting in road water and private property rainwater and diverting it away from the sewage system, reducing pressure in times of high rainfall. This will require a collaborative relationship with the developer, South West Water and homeowners.
WATER is supporting the Holbeton Parish Council in ensuring that the best is made out of this opportunity.
Please contact us to find out more.
~ Community Litter Picks
Litter in our rivers is an ongoing issue – all litter, in particular plastics are damaging to the environment. Via the Erme they reach our coastlines, beaches and in turn can harm our wildlife. At the end of Autumn 2023 WATER coordinated litter picking sessions in Ivybridge, Ermington and Modbury. We are planning to repeat these sessions every spring and autumn.
Please sign up to our newsletter if you would like to find out about the next session – plenty of tea, coffee and cake will be provided along with litter pickers and gloves!
~ Himalayan Balsam Action Group
Himalayan balsam is one of a number of non-native species that is present on our river. Found mostly on river banks and in damp woodland. It is a tall, attractive, annual herb with explosive seed heads. Although easy to identify as a mature plant with its pink-purple flowers, fleshy stem and characteristic leaves, the seedlings and last yearʼs dead stems of this annual are more difficult to spot.
WATER are supporting a Himalayan Balsam Action Group in tackling this invasive species. We are looking for help from spring when it comes to removing plant before it sets seed.
Please contact Mark Walker if you would like to help or get involved.
~ Devon Wildlife Trust Advice – Non Farming Landowners
We are conscious that there is a good range of advice and funding available from farming landowners to make agro ecological improvements on their land. However, this is not necessarily the case with non-farming landowners, gardeners and allotment holders.
To support this sector we are planning to arrange a number of 1-1 drop in sessions with the Devon Wildlife Trust to offer free ecological advice – from hedge planting to meadow management.
If you’d like to find out more about these sessions or about this project, then please register your interest below.
