Lancashire Environment 2002
River Water Quality
88% of rivers and canals in Lancashire were classed as having good or fair water quality in 2000, slightly lower than the figure of 94% for England as a whole.
Only 12% were classed as poor or bad. Both these figures represent substantial improvements since 1990, with sustained improvements from 1996 onwards.
Rivers are in many ways the life blood of the County. They have been responsible for the character of the County in terms of it topography and landscape, settlement patterns, economic prosperity and its abundant wildlife. However, rivers are also used for waste disposal (mainly treated domestic sewage, industrial wastes and farm effluents) and there are increasing demands placed on water resources for abstraction and recreation.
The map reveals a North East/South West split with most of the good quality river lengths being in the upland areas and river valleys whilst the lower quality lengths are found predominantly in the lowland agricultural areas.
Traditional industries, which have been the source of harmful discharges, have either disappeared or improved their environmental performance, whilst increasing intensification of agriculture and use of chemicals has led to increased run off into watercourses.
What is the role of LCC and other agencies?
The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring water quality and for regulating discharges into watercourses.
LCC is involved in a number of partnership initiatives to look at the management of river valleys and estuaries although these are not directly concerned with water quality issues.
Other organisations, including Groundwork and the Mersey Basin Campaign, do get involved in environmental improvements for rivers and streams in parts of Lancashire.
| % per year | ||||||||||
| 1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | |
| Good | 18.8 | 34.3 | 33.1 | 35.8 | 32 | 26.4 | 37.1 | 38.8 | 46.7 | 48.3 |
| Fair | 30.1 | 26.8 | 35.4 | 36.7 | 38.7 | 46.9 | 40.8 | 42.1 | 38.4 | 39.8 |
| Poor | 15.5 | 27.5 | 19.8 | 23.6 | 25.4 | 23.1 | 20.4 | 19.2 | 14.3 | 11.7 |
| Bad | 5.1 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Unclassified | 30.5 | 9.2 | 9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Environment Agency
Includes data for Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authorities
Source: Data: Environment Agency
Mapping produced by Automobile Association Developments Limited
© Automobile Association Developments Limited 2002. All rights reserved.
Boundaries
This Map is based upon Ordnance Survey Material with the permission of
Ordanance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary
Office
© Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
Lancashire County Council Licence No. 076716 2002