Edit project overview: Case study:Markeaton and Mackworth Brook (MMB) Project

Please enter a description of the project: To carry out work to prevent diffuse pollution. The MMB Project is led by the National Trust who have undertaken significant investigations and actions to date working with farmers and landowners in the area to improve practices to improve water quality outcomes for the brooks. These activities have included installing fences and cattle drinking areas to reduce the cattle poaching and discharges of phosphate to the brooks. The Mackworth Brook is failing to achieve Water Framework Directive good ecological status due to, amongst other things, diffuse pollution from agriculture. The Environment Agency and the National Trust are continuing to work together to enable further works to be undertaken along the Mackworth Brook.

Monitoring surveys and results: Environment Agency funding has paid for 1.3 km of bankside fencing, 6 cattle drinking areas and a pasture pump. This will restrict livestock access to the brook and will help improve water quality. There will be reduced sediment and phosphate flows into Mackworth Brook, reduced floods flows to the Derwent, improved amenity at the site and an education tool for SuDs.

Lessons learnt: Increased knowledge for farming community in the area and less cattle poaching and phosphate inputs. Sharing of knowledge for best practice and innovative solutions has been useful across the catchment.