Source Control Measures
These are some source control measures
Rainwater Management Plan
A rainwater management plan is a whole farm assessment identifying areas on the farm where water flows both
Farmer Training Course
Farmers will be given the option to attend a training course as part of the Water EIP. The
Nutrient Management Plan
Nutrient management plans provide farmers with information on how to grow crops to their potential for their farming
Nitrogen Surplus Plan
Farmers can calculate their use of nitrogen to give a nitrogen balance per hectare. Nitrogen Surplus Plan follows
Multiple Species Swards
Multi-species swards (MSS) consist of a variety of plants from different families including clovers, grasses, brassicas and herbs.
Catch/Cover Crops
Catch crops utilise residual nutrients in the soil following the harvest of a cereal or oilseed crop, thus
Low Drift Nozzles
Low-drift nozzles are designed to produce larger spray droplets with fewer driftable fines. Larger droplets are produced with
Mobile drip tray
The drip tray can be used to prevent spillages from reaching watercourses during the spraying season. To prevent
Water Storage Tanks
These are for outside farms (fragmented land) to prevent filling sprayers directly from streams/rivers etc. IBC tank with
Retrofit a Clean Water Tank
To encourage tank rinsing in the field. These are currently not present on some basic sprayers used by
Decommission of Sheep Dip Tub
Sheep dip tanks like the one pictured right can be filled in and capped under the Farming for
Submersible Pump
A submersible pump can only be applied for in conjunction with water storage tank. Submersible pump is used
Pathway Interception Measures
Hedgerow Establishment on Low Earthen Mound
Hedgerows are very effective in reducing the risk of land-spread material moving over sloped ground during heavy weather
Spatially Targeted Riparian Buffer Zones
A spatially targeted riparian buffer zone is an area left uncultivated adjoining rivers/streams/drains/ponds/lakes/turloughs etc. that will help to
Tree Planting
A wooded buffer along one or both banks of the river is very beneficial to the river. Trees
Earthen Bund
Pictured above top - an earthen bund beside a field of rapeseed, while above: a bund under
Swales
A swale is a linear, mostly dry, vegetated channel laid with a shallow fall on its base
Management of Critical Source Areas
Critical source areas (CSAs) need to be managed effectively using various means. Critical source areas (CSAs) are areas
Water Bars
Installing water bars on farm roadways can make a big difference to prevent flows into rivers and streams.
Sediment Traps
A sediment trap is a shallow basin laid with a shallow fall on its base. They typically intercept
Culverts
The passage of animals, people and vehicles across drains damages banks and aquatic vegetation. This increases the risk
Watercourse Crossing/Bridges
Above: Note ledge preventing direct discharge into the watercourse. River crossings by animals and farm vehicles can deliver
Gateway Improvements
Relocating gateways can have a positive impact on water quality. Gateways located close to rivers or streams
Willow Beds
Above: An established plantation by a river bank. Right: A freshly created willow bed. Willow beds are areas
Farmyard Settlement Tank
As farms have expanded over the last number of years so too has the area of concreted yards
Receptor Measures
Bovine, Ovine Exclusion from Waterbodies
Fencing off waterbodies to prevent access is one of the measures included. In the picture opposite, we can
Solar Powered Electric Fence
Where no mains powered electric fence supply is available, a farmer may apply to the Water EIP for
Alternative water supply, water troughs, piping and fittings
Pasture pumps and solar powered pumps with water troughs are a sustainable way to provide drinking water to
Bunded Drain
Bunded drains help to maximise the retention of sediments and plant nutrients within ditches/drains and to create opportunities
Other Measures
Host Farmer Payment
In order to facilitate outdoor farmer training courses, advisors will be required to identify suitable farms to host
Contractor Mobilisation Fee – Excavator
This is a fee payable to facilitate the use of an excavator on a farm for putting
Bespoke Measures
Farmers can apply for funding for Bespoke Measures on a case-by-case basis. To receive funding the measure must
Farmyard Bucket and Brush
Using a farmyard bucket and brush is a labour-efficient method for keeping clean yards within the farmyard complex
Slurry Testing
Knowing the nutrient content of the slurry and soiled water in the various tanks on the farm is
