Impact of catchment management upon dissolved organic carbon and stream flows in the Peak District, Derbyshire, UK

Britain’s uplands are a supplier of high-quality drinking water but often experience seasonal discolouration by dissolved organic carbon. Costs of treatment processes and concerns over climate change have led several water companies to consider catchment management as a sustainable means of ameliorating water quality. A paired catchment investigation of management manipulation was completed from 2002-2007 (six catchments). Changes following the blocking of eroded gullies, cessation of burning and removal of grazing, were compared with similar catchments where no management changes had been implemented. Results show that the manipulated catchments have retained water and reduced DOC flux compared to what was predicted from the control catchments. Changes to water colour were not statistically significant and benefits to water quality are therefore limited in the short term. Longer term study is required to make a full assessment of the benefits of changing land management.