This Commons Library Briefing Paper examines water quality in the UK, including EU requirements and potential impacts of Brexit. It sets out some key facts and figures for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, explains how water quality is measured and discusses action being taken by the Government to manage and improve water quality.

Water is a key part of the natural environment which provide valuable goods and services to people. It is important for many reasons, including human health, farming and food, healthy wildlife and habitats, bathing, fishing and other leisure activities. The Office for National Statistics estimated the asset value of freshwater services (including water abstraction, recreation, fishing and pollution removal) for the whole of the UK at £39.5 billion. Click here to read the full report.