NUTRINFLOW reduced nutrient losses from agriculture to immediate watersheds and into the Baltic Sea. Reduction was achieved through pilot investments implemented in Finland, Sweden and Latvia, where various nutrient sources were targeted. Instead of the planned five nutrient sources, the project ended up choosing 11 sources. Actions included river channel restorations, building wetlands and flood plains, mounting or renovating culverts and improving subsurface drainage. Direct improvements from these actions were reduced nutrient losses in phosphorus and nitrogen.

Knowledge gained from the pilot sites serve as a reference for a holisitic drainage management, offering farmers and other stake-holder organisations important information on these issues. The project also increased general awareness among farmers, advisors and municipal authorities and services on drainage techniques and approaches to integrate field and basic drainage measures. Due to its high relevance, good implementation and re-usability of results, the project gained the Baltic Sea Strategy Flagship (Flow Baltic) status. The outcomes of the NUTRINFLOW will be further utilised by the Ministry of Agriculture to prepare suggestions on nutrient retention measures in agricultural drainage to be supported in Latvia during the next planning period of the Common Agricultural Policy (2021-2027).

Project website: nutrinflow.eu [10]