Initiatives to tackle diffuse pollution in the UK

Initiatives to address the problem of diffuse pollution in the UK are revie wed. Characteristics of the problem and key pollutants are identified: oil, pesticides, sediment, organic wastes, faecal pathogens, nutrient, trace me tals and solvents; of importance to potable supplies as well as causing env ironmental pollution. Options to address the problem include action by cent ral government, limited regulatory activity by environment agencies, and ed ucational campaigns. Examples of several UK initiatives are given. Factors in considering effectiveness of measures are proposed, (i) in measurable im provements in the environment and (ii) in indirect measures, eg. numbers of BMP's provided, kilometres of buffer zone established, tonnage of waste oi l recycled etc. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.