FH WETLAND SYSTEMS Ltd.

Prevention of water pollution is a high priority for any farm, but it is not always easy. Adequate storage of slurry and silage effluent is essential for returning nutrients to the land. However, low value, high volume yard and parlour washings can pose a problem. Constructed wetlands can be used as part of an overall farm pollution control approach to filter this wastewater and return it clean to local rivers and streams.

Yard runoff and wash water are not the only potential source of pollution on farms. Runoff from fields can be high in nutrients from slurry and fertilisers, biocides from spraying and silt from rain simply washing through the soil. Buffer zones can be planted along rivers and ditches to reduce suspended solids and nutrients from runoff water. This can help to protect waterways and improve water quality for fish and wildlife, as well as providing insurance aginst potential pollution incidents.

Buffer zones can be planted with trees for a biofuel crop, with wetland plants for boggy corners or can be made into planted drains and ponds for collecting field runoff and providing storage and settlement below steeply sloping fields where soil would othewise wash directly to the adjacent stream. Even widening, damming and planting farm drains can help to maximise the retention of soil and contaminants within the water. Every small positive measure improves the overall water quality in the area.

Farm Pollution Control