The EU announced that the latest Report on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive reveals that nitrates concentrations are slightly decreasing in both surface and groundwater and sustainable agricultural practices are more widespread. Although the overall trend is positive, nitrates pollution and eutrophication – the excess growth of weeds and algae that suffocates life in rivers and seas – are still causing problems in many Member States and further action is needed to bring the waters in the European Union to a good status within a reasonable timescale.

These pages are an on-line case study guide hosted on the RESTORE website. They are developed for flood risk managers. It provides examples of how to implement the environmental improvements (known as mitigation measures) set out in the Water Framework Directive (WFD). It shows that we can deliver exciting integrated solutions to improve the environment for communities and wildlife.

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We have been working on our RiverWiki click on the link to see the change  http://bit.ly/14rG6PA  460  river restoration case studies from 24 European countries.

In 2010 Thames 21 visited the Cody Dock Reedbed, close to the mouth of the River Lea (UK), it was instantly clear what a wonderful place it was and how damaged it had become. In amongst the reeds it was beautiful and peaceful, but it was calf-deep in rubbish and Japanese Knotweed had grown across the reedbed, eating out its heart.

As part of the Love the Lea campaign,  Thames 21  commissioned a study into the use of  reedbeds along the Lee (or Lea) Navigation to improve water quality, boost the biodiversity value of the area and improve green space.