Farming Rules for Water: Regulations, Audits & Compliance
Actively enforced and updated regularly by the Environment Agency, 2025’s Farming Rules for Water are designed to reduce and prevent water pollution from agricultural sources. These rules apply to all farmers and land managers across England, with regular inspections ensuring compliance and protecting our waterways for the future.
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Our consultancy team are well-versed in helping farms abide by the Farming Rules for Water legislation documents, helping a range of farms successfully implement bespoke compliance systems that exceed Environment Agency audit requirements.
What are the farming rules for water?
The Farming Rules for Water are a set of government regulations designed to protect water quality by controlling how farmers manage manures, fertilisers, and soil, the rules include:
- Rule 1: Planning use of manures and fertilisers
- Rule 2: Storing organic manures
- Rule 3: Applying manures or fertilisers
- Rule 4: Where not to apply organic manures
- Rule 5: Where not to apply fertiliser
- Rule 6: Reasonable precautions to prevent soil erosion
- Rule 7: Protecting against soil erosion by livestock
- Rule 8: Position of livestock feeders
How AWSM ensure your ongoing adherence to FRfW
To ensure compliance with the rules, our expert team of environmental consultants provide support by:
- On-site support during FRfW inspections, ensuring you have confidence with regulators
- Development and implementation of tailored Nutrient Management Plans aligned with Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) requirements to optimise fertiliser use
- Soil sampling and laboratory analysis to monitor soil health and nutrient levels accurately
- Accurate maintenance of Nutrient, Manure, and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone records, essential for regulatory audits
- Detailed calculations of livestock, manure, and slurry volumes to ensure safe and compliant waste management
- Gap analysis comparing farm practices against SSAFO regulations, identifying any areas needing improvement to meet environmental standards
- Expert advice and provision of slurry storage solutions to prevent pollution and enhance farm sustainability
SSAFO regulations report support
While both the Farming Rules for Water (FRfW) and SSAFO (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) regulations aim to protect water quality on farms, they focus on different aspects of environmental management.
- Farming Rules for Water regulations primarily control how manures and fertilisers are planned, stored, and applied to prevent diffuse pollution and soil erosion across agricultural land.
- SSAFO regulations are more specific, setting strict standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of silage clamps, slurry stores, and fuel oil storage to prevent direct pollution incidents such as leaks or spills.
We provide detailed SSAFO regulations reports and conduct gap analyses to identify any areas where your farm’s infrastructure or practices may fall short of SSAFO requirements. Coupled with our comprehensive support for Farming Rules for Water compliance, this ensures your farm is protected from all angles, reducing the risk of enforcement action and safeguarding water resources.
Partnering with AWSM for stress-free regulatory visits
When you partner with AWSM, regulatory visits become hassle-free. We make sure the Environment Agency leaves confident that your farm champions best practices to protect precious water resources and boost environmental sustainability.
Our team is Fertiliser Advisors Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS) certified and has a proven track record of supporting farmers and land managers to stay ahead of changing regulations. We specialise in Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) compliance, helping you gain government support while adopting smarter, greener farming methods. From crafting bespoke Nutrient Management Plans that maximise fertiliser efficiency to enhancing soil health and promoting long-term sustainability, AWSM is your trusted partner for a thriving, future-proof farm.
