Severn Trent is celebrating ten years of STEPS (Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme), which has awarded grants to more than 2,300 farmers and landowners to help them improve water quality and biodiversity.
In the same period, the company has worked with more than 5,000 farmers across its priority catchments through the Farming for Water scheme and is now encouraging more people to apply during 2024.
Up to £30,000 match funding is available, with the most popular STEPS options including pesticide washdown areas, precision farming equipment, livestock fencing and cover crops. All of these initiatives will help to reduce the amount of pesticide, nitrate and cryptosporidium entering watercourses.
Dr Adam Freer, senior catchment management scientist at Severn Trent, said: “The continued success of STEPS over the decade highlights farmers’ commitment to sustainable farming and environmental protection.
“When STEPS began, we identified 21 catchment areas to work with, but as the scheme has evolved, we’ve been able to double this and we’re now working with 55 catchments across the Midlands.
“In 2023 alone, STEPS supported over 120 on-farm environmental projects, including more than 2,000 ha of cover crops, and we welcome more farmers to work with us this year.”
He added that the scheme remains popular because it has adapted and evolved with the industry, allowing a greater number of options for on-farm improvements.
“Not only have these STEPS-funded projects helped reduce water pollution risk and protect the environment, but they’ve also supported greater farm productivity by improving spray efficiency and soil health.
“All match funding options come with advice and support from our 20-strong team of local agricultural advisers too.”
STEPS options
Pesticide catchment areas:
- Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) for pesticides
- Pesticide washdown areas, including roofing
- Riverside grass margins
- Biobeds and biofilters
- Alternative weed management in grassland fields
- Precision pesticide application equipment
Application window for pesticide priority items closes on 31 May 2024.
Nitrate catchment areas:
- Cover crops
- Grass margins
- Cryptosporidium catchment areas:
- Livestock fencing along watercourses
- Hard bases for drinking troughs
- Roofed livestock handling and manure storage areas
- Constructed wetlands
The main STEPS application window closes on 30 November 2024.
For more information go to www.stwater.co.uk