PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of more than 4,700 fully synthetic compounds that are widely used in industrial and manufacturing processes and found in many consumer products, persist through wastewater treatment at levels that may impact the long-term feasibility of “beneficial reuse of treated wastewater,” according to a study conducted by researchers and recently […]
The Guardian has reported that the government’s efforts to protect UK rivers have been labelled an “abject failure” after two-thirds of farms in Devon were found to be causing pollution when inspected by the Environment Agency. Between 2016 and 2020, the agency visited more than 100 cattle farms in north Devon to check levels of compliance with […]
The first ever UK woodland natural flood management guide has been published. The Guide will enable the forest sector to play a stronger role in flood mitigation, which will increase the resilience of communities to flooding and reduce the financial impact of future floods. This is a new United Kingdom-wide guide outlining how […]
As part of efforts to achieve zero pollution by 2050, the European Commission unveiled stricter rules to tackle air and water pollution. The European Commission is proposing stronger rules on surface and groundwater pollutants, and treatment of urban wastewater. “Day in and day out, we get new information about the degree to which public health is directly […]
Sir James Bevan, CEO at the Environment Agency, has told the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee that “population growth, climate change and public awareness have led us to where we are” with regard to ongoing problems with storm overflow sewage discharges. The Environment Agency Chief was appearing alongside Alan Lovell, Chair, Environment Agency […]
The water quality in nearly half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, and waterways is in “unsatisfactory” condition, with farming run-off in the south the culprit for much of the “alarming” deterioration. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned the further decline in water quality means Ireland is currently off course to meet the EU and national […]
National Drought Group forecasts drought may remain beyond spring 2023. Average rainfall levels over winter will still not be sufficient to avoid impending drought or drought conditions next year, the National Drought Group has forecast. At a meeting on 14 October, chaired by Environment Agency Chief Executive Sir James Bevan, members discussed projections for a […]
A water company has been hit with combined fines of over £1.2m for pollution incidents in East England, the Environment Agency has reported. Anglian Water was fined in two separate court cases after causing four pollution incidents in watercourses as a result of blockages and broken infrastructure. The water company was ordered to pay £871,000 […]