Aqualate Mere Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Ramsar Water Quality Project

Descriptions

Defra procuring on behalf of Natural England (NE): The aim of this contract is to understand if catchment sources of nutrients and sediment are still significant and therefore if further reductions are needed to achieve the SSSI water quality objectives. If so, to provide recommendations as to what levels of reductions are needed to the different sources to achieve favourable condition. The monitoring and resulting report will also be used to raise awareness of the issue, to inform and influence site management where necessary, and to identify further research needs or policy initiatives required for a future improvement programme of the mere. In summary, the specific requirements of the contract are to: 1. Undertake water quality and discharge monitoring of the 3 main inflows and outflow. 2. Estimate the current load to the lake from all sources (consented and unconsented point sources, diffuse sources, internal loading) 3. Determine the critical load that would enable the Mere to meet its SSSI water quality target concentrations 4. Apportion the load between sources and provide recommendations as to where further reductions to catchment sources are needed to achieve the SSSI favourable condition.