| |
| |
| Water Quality Alarm Panel |
Date of test - 7th March 2010 |
|
- Sample failed one or more thresholds |
|
|
|
- Acceptable Water Quality |
|
|
| Bevern Stream |
Pellingford Brook |
 |
A |
- Stoneywish Country Park, Ditchling |
|
L |
- Scaynes Hill (A272) |
 |
B |
- Spatham Lane, Ditchling |
River Uck |
|
C |
- Swansyard Farm, Ditchling |
|
M |
- Hempstead Mill, Uckfield |
|
D |
- Hamsey Brickworks (drainage ditch) |
|
|
E |
- Clapper's bridge, Barcombe |
Ridgewood Stream |
| Plumpton Mill Stream |
|
N |
- Uckfield by-pass (A22) |
|
F |
- Old Mill, Plumpton Mill Stream, North |
Shortbridge Stream |
|
G |
- Old Mill, Plumpton Mill Stream, South |
|
O |
- Underhill, Maresfield |
|
H |
- Ferrings Bridge, East Chiltington |
|
P |
- Shortbridge |
| Longford Stream |
Norlington Stream |
|
I |
- Cinder Hill, South Chailey |
|
Q |
- Wellingham |
|
J |
- Ridgelands Lane, Newick |
Lewes Winterbourne |
| Scrase Stream |
|
R |
- Railwaylands, Lewes |
|
K |
- Lindfield (B2111) |
|
Summary of this months results
There is still a problem with ammonia in Plumpton Mill Stream, this time in the north branch. There was also high ammonia at Hempstead Mill, which is unusual. The level of phosphate at Spatham Lane was the highest ever recorded and almost beyond belief.
Farmers are not spreading artificial fertiliser at this time of the year, particularly as it has been so wet and cold. The figure of 58.2 mg/litre c.f. 0.33 at Stoneywish suggests that Ditchling STW is the culprit. This begs the question as to whether this part of the Bevern Stream is not complying with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, which states that there should be no deterioration from the status quo.
Flow observations
At most locations moderate to low flows were observed with clear water.
Our measurements
The graphs below show the values measured this month compared to the 12 month average for each of the 18 sites we test. For explanations on the S.O.C.S. designated thresholds values (shown on the graphs) and the EU Freshwater Fisheries Directive Mandatory and guide values please refer to our Introduction to WQ Testing page...
| Ammonia (N) - Values in mg/l |
 |
| Phosphate (PO4) - Values in mg/l |
 |
| Nitrate (NO3) - Values in mg/l |
 |
| Dissolved Oxygen (O2) - Values in mg/l |
 |
|
|
