Cheviot Trees grows an extensive
range of trees and plants, many ideal for planting both in and around wetland
areas and reedbeds. Careful choice of species will allow successful establishment of
attractive woodland habitat even in the wettest of areas. Water
loving broadleaves
such as Birches, Alders, and Willows can thrive in
waterlogged sites. Wetland shrubs such
as Dogwoods and coloured Willows can add attractive colour to otherwise
bland countryside. Planting
of river margins and bankings with Reeds
etc, along with exclusion of livestock grazing,
can create shaded habitat for fish, and provide bank habitat attractive to
otters and water voles.
Planting of wetlands and
reedbeds can
develop and maintain wildlife habitats and enhance natural biodiversity in
situations that might otherwise become unmanageable monocultures.
They can also absorb water and allow other species to survive where they
were previously unable to do so.
Planting
of wetlands and reedbeds can reduce run off and
minimise subsequent surface water erosion.
 
Use
Waste Water, the Water Framework Directive
and
NVZ’s to
your advantage
With environmental
awareness and pressures on agriculture at an all time high, turn the
handling and disposal of your existing waste water run off into an
attractive landscape and environmental feature. Help meet
environmental discharge targets by natural means. Minimise groundwater
contamination. With simple planning, and minimal work and cost, the
following important issues and problem areas, all arising from normal
farming and rural operations, can be positively resolved by
establishing a natural ‘Working Wetland’.
Address
the following critical areas -
- Diffuse pollution,
the progressive seepage of fertiliser and agricultural residues to
drains, often over wide areas – water commonly containing nitrates,
phosphates and traces of chemicals.
- Farm steading run
off, after heavy rain and storms, high volumes rush straight off
roofs and concrete yards, down drains and ditches, straight into water
courses – water including traces of fuels, oils, fertilisers,
slurry, soil and silt.
- Septic overflows
and drainage wastes, contaminating drains, watercourses and
sometimes bathing waters - water containing faecal organisms, traces
of heavy metals, household detergents, cleaners and food wastes.
- Process waste and
overflows, regularly produced, often initially running briefly
into settling tanks, but then down drains and into watercourses -
water containing dairy / livestock washings, chemicals, pack-house
washings, and sediments.
Deal
with these naturally -
- by simply intercepting the outfalls and constructing a series of
attractively designed ponds and reedbeds, the flow will be slowed down
and enable settling of
solids, establishing
natural vegetation will draw nutrients from the water. A controlled
discharge of ‘clean’ water to local watercourses will be created.
- by natural
oxygenation, breakdown and absorption of nitrates, phosphates and
metals, the water quality will be significantly improved. Aggressive
contaminants and liquids of high biological oxygen demand (BOD) will
be contained and treated, before eventually reaching the watercourse
in an acceptable condition.
And
benefit from a natural, functional, working wetland -
- working 24/7 to produce a clean, ‘no worry’ outflow. Its size,
shape and sympathetic design will be engineered according to flow
requirement and landscape features. Planting a combination of reeds,
marginal plants and wetland shrubs and trees in and around the ponds,
will greatly accelerate the water treatment. This will form an
environmentally sustainable, low maintenance, settling and
purification area. Exclusion from livestock and machinery will
maintain a natural haven for wildlife, and will allow an all year
round habitat for birds, small mammals and insects to develop.
At
a practical level, what is required?
Consult your local FWAG, Environment Agency and
SEPA offices, they will be supportive and
assist.
Assess the volumes, flows and nature of any contaminants.
Intercept and harness drains and overflows.
Direct these to an appropriate final location.
Construct the series of settling and treatment ponds.
Allow adequate area to hold flash floods and allow sediments and solids
to settle.
Arrange progressive overflows, as required, to allow sequential
treatment and cleaning by grasses, reeds and wetland plants.
Allow overflows to move to further ponds for final cleaning.
Create a controlled level final outlet to local watercourse.
Exclude livestock and machinery.
Monitor the outflow.
Occasional dredging of sediment from first pond and replacement of
reeds.
‘A
Working Wetland is a valuable addition to conservation and the
environment.’
On farm labour and machinery can often deal with the practical
construction and planting of Wetlands. Such work can be undertaken at
quiet times of the year, to fit in with labour profiles. Therefore costs
are minimised.
Cheviot Trees Ltd.
offer the full range of reeds, marginal plants and wetland shrubs, along
with any planting accessories required for Wetland establishment. |
