Severn Trent grants available for sprayer washdown facilities

Farmers with land near to watercourses in the Severn Trent catchment that are vulnerable to pesticide pollution have until the end of the month to apply for significant grants designed to alleviate the problem.

Investment in sprayer washdown and handling areas are being match-funded by the Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS), and money is also on offer to pay for rooftop rainwater harvesting equipment on these facilities.

See also: Farming grant funding in England – a guide

Although the grant for the washdown and handling areas is match-funded by the water company to a maximum of £20,000, if the project is completed within six months this would be increased to £30,000.

Funding for the rainwater harvesting equipment is worth £5,000.

Priority

The scheme has been put in place in Severn Trent’s priority catchments because pesticide pollution has been identified, together with the presence of nitrates and cryptosporidium.

According to research by Severn Trent, 40% of the pesticides it has detected in watercourses come from handling these chemicals in the farmyard and the rest from field operations.

By creating a dedicated area for handling pesticides and washing down equipment, and for cleaning and storing the sprayer, it says less chemicals will enter rivers and streams.

Farmer example

One farmer who has utilised the scheme is Ally Hunter Blair, who grows arable crops in Herefordshire.

He has used the money to help replace a dilapidated barn with a new washdown area and install a 10,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank.

Although his spray and nutrient applications fall well within the levels required by law, Mr Hunter Blair said he knew he could do more to protect water quality.

“Regulations are getting tighter around plant protection products used on-farm, so when the STEPS opportunity arose it was clear we could get ahead of the curve,” he said.

More grants

Severn Trent is also funding land management techniques and equipment, such as growing cover crops and loosening compacted soil, and has a longer application window for that scheme, until 30 November 2024.

All farm types are eligible to apply.

Application forms for all STEPS grants can be found at steps.flexigrant.com