Specialists in Water Management for Landscapes, Fisheries, Leisure and Conservation
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Aquatic Surveys |
Kingcombe Aquacare are regularly contracted to perform aquatic surveys. These range from silt surveys through to wildlife habitat surveys. With much of our work taking place on sites of special scientific interest or in environmentally sensitive areas, surveys of this nature are a prerequisite to any work commencing. Our team of qualified ecologists can carry out the whole survey from site work through to the completed report.
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We can arrange to have soil or silt samples laboratory tested for pollutants. Similarly we can also test water samples for anything from pH to legionella.
Case Study.
Client: Private Client (Landscape Architect Todd Longstaffe Gowan)
Location: Eythrope Park, The Waddesden Estate, Aylesbury
Description of Contract:
The 300 year old lake at Eythrope Park is the dominant landscape feature set within a parkland setting of historical importance. The lake has sadly deteriorated over the years, however, in particular due to the expansion of nearby Aylesbury and subsequent changes in water quality in the River Thame, which feeds the lake. In 2002 John Colton, the managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd, was invited to survey the water and recommend practical measures that can be taken to arrest the gradual decline of the feature.
A comprehensive silt survey was undertaken, recording the volume of silt throughout the whole lake area. Samples were also taken and analysed for heavy metals and other pollutants, to assess the suitability of the material for different disposal regimes.
Detailed discussions were held with the estate's Agent, the Environment Agency and other interested parties to consider how the supply from the River Thame could be modified to improve long term water quality in the lake.
A final report has now been submitted to the clients, recommending a programme of "managed decline", involving improving the vistas from the main residence, whilst altering the profile of the lake elsewhere in less high profile areas to make allowance for the existing reed encroachment. Some desilting will be necessary, but water quality will also be improved by reducing the supply from the river and encouraging more flow by the incorporation of a recirculating scheme.
Our clients have accepted our proposals, and subject to final agreement with the Environment Agency we aim to begin the actual engineering works in the Autumn of 2003.