Notes: [1] Three year averages ending in the year shown. Annual average for Scotland.
[2] No comparable data for Scotland in 1990 or 1995; or for either Northern Ireland or the North East region in 1990.
[2] No comparable data for Scotland in 1990 or 1995; or for either Northern Ireland or the North East region in 1990.
| Phosphates | |
| Change since | |
 |
1970 |
 |
1990 |
 |
1995 |
Coverage: United Kingdom
Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, EHS
Notes: [1] Three year averages ending in the year shown. Annual average for Scotland.
[2] Wales had no river length above 30 mg nitrate/litre in 2002, Northern Ireland had none in 1995 or 2002
[3] No comparable data for Scotland in 1995.
[2] Wales had no river length above 30 mg nitrate/litre in 2002, Northern Ireland had none in 1995 or 2002
[3] No comparable data for Scotland in 1995.
| Nitrates | |
| Change since | |
|
1970 |
|
1990 |
 |
1995 |
Coverage: England, Wales, Scotland
Source: Environment Agency, SEPA
- Higher levels of nitrate and phosphate tend to be in central and eastern England, reflecting pressures due to geology, sewage effluent and agriculture.
- Between 1995 and 2002, the percentage of river length with more than 0.1mg phosphorus per litre increased overall in England, and increased slightly in Northern Ireland, but fell in Wales.
- There was relatively little change in the percentage of river length with nitrate concentrations above 30 mgNO3/l in most regions between 1995 and 2002.