27 Aug 2026
Image description: Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) in the canal network in Bruges, Belgium Image credit: P Mantha on Unsplash Blue-green algae blooms causing mass disruption Successive heatwaves across the UK this summer have triggered a wave of blue-green algae blooms in rivers, lakes and coastal waters, causing widespread disruption to swimmers and raising deeper concerns […]
25 Aug 2026
Photo by Annie Spratt The Environment Agency issued bathing warnings for three Isle of Wight beaches this week after storm overflows released sewage-contaminated water following heavy rain, reviving long-running concerns about the resilience of the island’s sewer network. The agency advised against swimming at Gurnard, Shanklin and Bembridge on Wednesday 19 August, with Southern Water’s own Rivers and Sea Watch service listing around 15 further locations where an “outfall release within the last 24 hours” may have affected water quality. Multiple […]
20 Aug 2026
Photo by Jonathan Bean on Unsplash While some parts of the UK are set to receive the “first meaningful rain for a long time” in the coming days, it reportedly will not be sufficient reverse widespread drought conditions that continue to strain wildlife, farmers, firefighters and water resources. According to Environment Agency data from […]
18 Aug 2026
Photo by Gabe Fender Bathing has resumed on part of Blyth South Beach in Northumberland after a week-long precautionary advisory following reports of a possible fuel or oil spill, though the investigation into the source of the pollution continues. A strong-smelling substance found on the sand The Environment Agency logged a pollution incident on its water […]
13 Aug 2026
Image description: Hands wearing blue plastic gloves taking a water sample from a pond using a pipette and brown glass sampling bottle. New data published by EA paints a ‘very concerning’ picture for England’s waterways The Environment Agency’s (EA) latest data, published 6 August 2026, showed that just 14% of England’s rivers, lakes, estuaries […]
11 Aug 2026
Photo by Sebastien Gabriel Global sea surface temperatures reached their highest level ever recorded for the month of July, according to new data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), as a prolonged marine heatwave around the UK edges towards rare “extreme” territory and much of England and Wales is declared officially in drought. […]
30 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Photoholgic on Unsplash The Environment Agency has declared drought across seven regions of England, covering just over half the country, following what is set to be the driest July on record. The declaration moves East Anglia, Hertfordshire and North London, Thames, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands and […]
23 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Daniele Levis Pelusi The Environment Agency has confirmed that it is bringing criminal proceedings against Southern Water Services Limited, four former employees and three further individuals, following an Administrative Court judgment on 22 July that upheld the Agency’s power to prosecute for offences connected to its regulatory functions. The four former staff, including former chief executive […]
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