Riparian Buffer Zones

By establishing Riparian Buffer Zones in key locations on your farm, you will help to protect water courses from nutrient, sediment and pesticide losses. This factsheet was produced as part of a series of factsheets by the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).

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Tips for improving Water Quality through use of Riparian Buffer Zones 

For Riparian Buffer Zones to be effective in reducing surface water runoff or pollutants from entering waterbodies, they must be correctly located, planned and established to adequately protect the water body and intercept the potential nutrient, sediment or chemical losses. 

Summary 

By establishing Riparian Buffer Zones in key locations on your farm, you will help to protect water courses from nutrient, sediment and pesticide losses. Your local ASSAP Adviser is available to advise on the most suitable locations and size of riparian margins for your farm. These areas will not only benefit water quality but also assist in improving biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

For more information please visit www.teagasc.ie/water-quality or view the other factsheets in the series here