LV5: Pasture pumps and associated pipework

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the pasture pumps and associated pipework item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
7 November 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Livestock management, Uplands and Water quality
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier and Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
£201 to £300

How much will be paid

£295.90 per pump.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.

Only:

  • in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution caused by farming, where livestock have been excluded from stream or surface waters

or:

  • in Higher Tier to encourage grazing to help manage and restore habitats (with the agreement of Natural England)

Where this item cannot be used

  • To replace existing equipment in the same location

How this item will benefit the environment

This item will provide livestock with an alternative to drinking from watercourses. It will reduce bank erosion, sediment pollution and the faecal contamination of watercourses.

Requirements

  • install a low-lift, animal-operated pasture pump
  • secure the pump to robust, preserved timber
  • construct a hardstanding area around the pump of at least 1m by 1m
  • dig the hardstanding area to a depth of at least 150mm, or down to a naturally occurring hard surface
  • compact hardcore on a geotextile liner to a depth of at least 150mm
  • edge the hardstanding area with preserved timber (no smaller than 150mm by 50mm)
  • use medium-density polyethylene pipework with an external diameter of at least 25mm
  • make sure that all the joints are made out of brass or plastic and that they are watertight
  • make sure that the pump meets relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of site before works start

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
  • photographs of the completed works in place and installed

This item can be used on the same area as the following options and items:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.

How many cattle the pump can serve

Pasture pumps can lift water up to around 5m and pump to a distance of up to 50m. One pump can serve 10 to 15 cattle.

How to get best results from the pump

It may be necessary to train livestock to use the pump.

What to do with the pump in the winter

  • remove the pump and store it during the winter to guard against frost damage
  • make sure the pump is available for inspection after it is removed

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removal of text confirming LV5 Pasture pumps and associated pipework availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  2. 'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.

  3. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants

  4. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  5. First published.

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