14 Aug 2025
Image description: A swimmers back profile as they stand chest-high in water. Photo by Chris on Unsplash A new government analysis revealed thousands more waterways are being used for swimming and boating in England than were previously recorded. Their data revealed 3,347 “water recreation locations”, places where people take part in activities including swimming, […]
14 Aug 2025
Image description: A field of dry grass. Image by Alexandre Debiève / Unsplash The National Drought Group met this week with the current water shortfall situation in England now defined as a “nationally significant incident” according to the Environment Agency. The agency reported that five of its fourteen operational regions are already in drought, […]
24 Jul 2025
Following the announcement by the UK environment secretary of plans to scrap Ofwat and create a single regulator, reaction from across the water sector and stakeholders has been widespread. A landmark review into the industry – led by Sir Jon Cunliffe – concluded that Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority for England and Wales, should […]
17 Jul 2025
The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted Welsh Water for breaking conditions of an environmental permit at a Herefordshire sewage treatment works 7 times in a 5 month period. At Kidderminster Magistrates Court on 11 July 2025, Welsh Water was fined £24,000 for exceeding permitted levels of sewage effluent from the Clehonger Sewage Treatment Works near […]
17 Jul 2025
The National Drought Group (NDG) met on 15 July as a drought is declared in the West and East Midlands. Dry weather continues to impact water resources across England requiring water companies to take action to manage demand with the public being urged to use water wisely. While drought conditions continue across much of the […]
10 Jul 2025
Image description: a red tractor ploughing a field, with white birds surrounding it. Image by Tian Dayong / Unsplash. The Guardian has broken a story on an Environment Agency (EA) insider blowing the whistle on what they describe as a “deliberate and ongoing cover-up” of the public health and environmental dangers of spreading sewage […]
26 Jun 2025
Image description: Shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts struggling with barriers in the River Itchen. Image by Kieran Gillingham. The Environment Agency and partners are looking for ways to improve fish passage past barriers and restore the lower River Itchen by Southampton. Each spring, shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts, begin their […]
12 Jun 2025
Image description: Dry, cracked earth. Image by Yusuf Gündüz. National Drought Group to meet monthly The Environment Agency (EA) convened a National Drought Group meeting, following the driest spring since 1893. EA director of water, Helen Wakeham, announced the group, which is formed of the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers, and experts, […]
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