20 Mar 2025
The government has announced reforms which it says will modernise “outdated” regulations around bathing water quality, and will “keep pace with Britain’s love of swimming”. The system for monitoring the more than 550 designated, outdoor, swimming sites in England and Wales will be updated for the first time since 2013 following a public consultation. The […]
20 Mar 2025
Water regulator Ofwat has concluded its investigation into Yorkshire Water, securing an enforcement package of £40m to be paid by the wastewater company. Their investigation found on average the firm discharged untreated wastewater into the region’s rivers for seven hours a day in 2023, with almost half its storm overflows found to be in breach […]
11 Mar 2025
Photo by Steffen Coonan Last year, the UK government announced plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes in England. However, a new report by Public First warns that 61,600 homes are unlikely to materialise in the next five years due to water scarcity, with local authorities in the east and south-east of England facing […]
11 Mar 2025
Six of the UK’s biggest water companies may have to pay up to £510m in compensation after being accused of overcharging businesses, charities and local authorities by concealing the scale of their sewage spills. Environmental consultant Professor Carolyn Roberts and law firm RPC have issued letters to each of the six firms – Thames Water, […]
11 Mar 2025
In 2024, it was revealed United Utilities had repeatedly discharged millions of litres of raw sewage illegally into Lake Windermere over a three-year period. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged that he will work toward a future where “only rainwater” enters England’s largest lake. The announcement comes as Reed and water minister Emma Hardy embark […]
11 Mar 2025
The Hidden Sands project hopes new hi-tech surveillance could improve the enforcement of sand mining regulations and improve resilience for these riverbed communities. Photo by Pok Rie Sand plays a central role in modern society (e.g. smartphones – high-purity silica sand is essential for making silicon chips) and urban development (e.g. skyscrapers – […]
11 Mar 2025
Ditches are human-made, linear waterways built to serve a variety of purposes, such as draining wetlands, irrigating crops and creating desirable waterfront properties. Previous research revealed that man-made ditches were responsible for emitting 3% of the total global methane emissions from human activities. Now a new study, carried out by ditch experts from the UK, […]
11 Mar 2025
The Welsh and UK Government have announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye. The river, which runs for 130 miles from central Wales to the Severn Estuary, has seen its water quality and wildlife drastically decline after years of exposure to agricultural pollution, sewage discharges […]
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