Nitrate modelling workshop report

This report details the findings of a workshop held by the Environment Agency (EA) and British Geological Survey (BGS) about Nitrate Modelling on 7th February 2023. The workshop was attended by over 80 delegates and was a part of the “Impacts of climate and land use change on groundwater quality” project, which is a three-year collaborative project between the EA and BGS. The BGS nitrate modelling work, including a part of PhD study co-funded by Defra, BGS and Jilin University, and nitrate-related work of the EA, Water Companies and Natural England was presented at the sessions of “pollutant sources from the soils” and “nitrate transport and legacy in the groundwater system”. The delegates were divided into seven groups for breakout discussions. Based on the notes recorded from the seven groups, there are five key themes for future work related to nitrate in groundwater: • Improved conceptualisation of nitrate processes based on enhanced use and collection of data • Improved representation of processes in models • The need for modelling across different spatial and temporal scales • Training, knowledge, model and data exchange • Public engagement and action on-the-ground The discussions in this workshop provided some guidance for identifying the next steps for nitrate work covered by the three-year project, and provided a starting point for greater engagement with stakeholders.