The government has published supporting evidence for its ‘State of the water environment indicator’. The evidence summary supports the 25 Year Environment Plan and its outcome indicator framework.

The headline figure is that just 16% of assessed surface waters and 79% of individual tests achieve good ecological status.

In the 25 Year Environment Plan, water theme indicators are:

• B1. Pollution loads entering waters
• B2. Serious pollution incidents to water
• B3. State of the water environment
• B4. Bathing waters
• B5. Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria
• B6. Naturalness of water
• B7. Health of freshwaters assessed through fish populations

Related indicators for water use, quantity and availability are:

• E8. Efficient use of water
• F3. Disruption or unwanted impacts caused by drought

F3 is also an indicator within resilience to natural hazards.

Indicators within managing exposure to chemicals and minimising waste are:

• Emissions of mercury and persistent organic pollutants to the environment
• Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment
• Prevent harmful chemicals from being recycled