The water quality of the river Adur is compromised by a range of pressures, from isolated sources of pollution through to the combined effects of multiple diffuse sources, both rural and urban. Evidence driving the ecological status of the river system shows that nutrification, particularly phosphates in freshwaters, are a primary reasons for poor water quality. Other … Continued
The river Adur runs north to south down the western side of the catchment. The main river is fed by two arms, the Adur East and the Adur West, both fed by many tributaries and ditches. The arms meet just west of Henfield, where the river becomes tidal and embanked for some nine miles before it reaches … Continued
Under the Water Framework Directive, aquifers are classified according to their quality and quantity. The quality of groundwater is assessed by chemical tests, and the quantity of groundwater considers the impact that abstraction has on the amount of water left in the environment. Whichever is the poorest assessment (i.e. quality or quantity) dictates the overall … Continued
The catchment is comprised of two major aquifers: the Brighton Chalk Block of the South Downs, and the thin ridge of Lower Greensand which outcrops to the north of the Downs and runs parallel to the chalk escarpment. The Brighton Chalk Block is by far the largest aquifer underlying the catchment. It is a crucial … Continued
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned ten pilot studies in the spring of 2011, to explore and evaluate existing and new engagement and collaboration techniques. The Adur and Ouse catchment was one of those ten pilot sites, feeding into Defra’s catchment pilot initiative, which concluded in December 2012. The Adur and … Continued
One of the primary drivers for the work of the Adur and Ouse Catchment partnership, and similar catchment partnerships across England, is the Water Framework Directive (WFD). It embodies the principle of working together to achieve more than we could in isolation and, because the essence of the WFD is about protecting and improving the … Continued
Our vision is to understand and improve all aspects of water within the Adur and Ouse catchment. Our rivers, groundwater and coastline are highly valued by those who live, work and visit here. They are a fundamental natural asset (or natural capital) that we rely on for drinking water, agriculture and food production, port and navigation facilities, commercial fisheries, recreational pursuits and … Continued
The Adur & Ouse Partnership Steering Group is made up of representatives from the following organisations: Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) A Unitary Authority at the centre of the catchment, focused on business and trade, environment, social care and health, and jobs. Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Project Working to ensure that the Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere … Continued
In Spring 2011 Defra commissioned a catchment pilot initiative, to develop new engagement and collaboration techniques to help deliver the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. The Adur and Ouse catchment was one of 10 initial pilots, ‘hosted’ by the Environment Agency and tasked with: better understanding local issues sharing knowledge and evidence working out shared priorities and … Continued
Coastal Waters The coastline and the sea have always been at the heart of the attraction of Sussex. The quality of coastal and estuarine waters is fundamental to the economic and social value of fisheries and tourism, as well as marine habitats and wildlife. However, the same geographic area needs to accommodate the development needs … Continued