Key Facts about: Inland Water Quality and Use
Nitrate concentrations in rivers: 1995, 2000, 2006
United Kingdom
|
Percentage of river lengths with nitrate concentrations greater than 30mg NO3-/l |
|||||
|
1995 |
2000 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
|
England |
33 |
36 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
|
Wales |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Scotland |
.. |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Northern Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
High levels of nitrate can lead to eutrophication in esturine and coastal water and are of concern in relation to drinking water abstractions.Higher levels of nitrate concentrations tend to be in central and eastern England, reflecting inputs from agriculture, geology and sewage effluent. In Anglian region the percentage of river length with concentrations above 30 mgNO3-/l decreased between 2000 and 2006 from 81 to 65. In 2006 Thames region had an average concentration greater than 30 mgNO3-/l in about half the river length. In all other regions there was relatively little change.
In Detail:
- Nutrients
- River Water Quality Database providing data on chemical and biological river water quality and nutrient concentrations for each Government Office Region and Local Authority in England and Wales.
Further Information:
- Source:
- Environment Agency, SEPA, Environment and Heritage Service
- Press Release:
- River Water Quality framework indicator for Sustainable Development: 2006, 28 August 2007 (272/07)
- Key Facts:
- Chemical river water quality
- Biological river water quality
- Phosphate concentrations in rivers
- Water pollution incidents
Data Tables:
Download Chart Data: Microsoft Excel
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Page last modified: 28 August 2007
Page published: 28 August 2007