Flash flooding and severe drought caused by climate change have added to the pollution problems in the East Midlands. © National Trust

A new report in From Source To Sea, by the National Trust, highlights the need for urgent action in Wales and the East Midlands in tackling big issues such as pollution, flooding and drought.

The Trust has teamed up with local authorities, government agencies and tenant farmers to help come up with practical solutions in managing water.

Carl Hawke, the National Trust’s Regional Nature Conservation Advisor, said: “Water is essential to our everyday lives from making the first cup of tea of the day to watering our gardens.”

“We can’t live without it, but too much water can also have devastating effects, as have seen the summer floods in 2007 and this year. There is a need to make sure that we do all we can to manage it wisely and not take it for granted.”

(Above) Properties such as Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, have experienced severe soil erosion, as seen by the deep gullies that have been created in crop fields in recent years. © National Trust

As part of the Mercaston and Markeaton Brooks project, the National Trust and its partners are also offering free advice, training and agri-environment funding to help farmers change practices which will reduce soil erosion and fertiliser run-off.

Flash flooding threatens 11 National Trust properties in the East Midlands and 45 sites in Wales and water shortages during summer periods are ongoing.

The National Trust’s Kedleston Hall, Derby, has a series of lakes with poor water quality due to soil erosion, fertilise run-off and sediment washed in from intensive upstream farming.

Carl Hawke added: “We can all do our bit to make a difference whether it’s installing water butts at home, farmers changing practices to help reduce pollution or organisations working together on flood management.”

A full copy of the report – From Source To Sea – is available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/water