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Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Predicting faecal indicator fluxes using digital land use data in the UK's sentinel Water Framework Directive
David Kay1, Mark Wyer, John Crowther
1River Basin Dynamics and Hydrology Research Group, IGES, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, UK. dave@crehkay.demon.co.uk
Water Research
|August 23, 2005
Summary
Urban land use significantly increases faecal indicator organisms in UK rivers, especially during high flow events. This study highlights built-up areas as critical sources of pollution in the Ribble basin.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Quality Management
- Ecology
Background:
- The Ribble drainage basin serves as a UK sentinel study area for implementing the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD).
- Quantifying catchment-derived faecal indicator fluxes from point and diffuse sources is crucial for managing coastal water quality.
- This research aligns with WHO guidelines and drafts of the revised Bathing Water Directive for recreational water safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between land use and faecal indicator organism concentrations in surface waters of the Ribble drainage basin.
- To identify critical land use types contributing to faecal indicator organism pollution.
- To inform authorities on prioritizing options for reducing faecal indicator loadings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a geographical information system (GIS) with digital elevation, land cover, and map data to derive land use variables for 41 subcatchments.
- Measured presumptive concentrations of coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci (cfu/100 ml) over 44 days during the 2002 bathing season, targeting hydrograph events.
- Allocated results to base flow or high flow conditions using hydrometric records and employed stepwise regression modeling to predict indicator concentrations from land use variables.
Main Results:
- Geometric mean faecal indicator organism concentrations were significantly higher during high flow events compared to base flow at all sites.
- Stepwise regression models explained 49.5-68.1% of the variation in faecal indicator organism concentrations.
- The proportion of built-up land in subcatchments was the dominant predictor variable for both base and high-flow conditions.
Conclusions:
- Built-up land use, with associated sewage inputs, is a critical source of faecal indicator organisms in the Ribble drainage basin.
- Understanding land use-pollution relationships is essential for effective water quality management under the WFD.
- Findings support targeted interventions in urbanized areas to reduce faecal pollution in surface waters.
