25 Sep 2024

Helen Wakeham, Director of Water, writes how public concern around pollution in England’s waterways has increased markedly in recent years, with the actions of water companies, and particularly pollution from storm overflow discharges receiving widespread attention. She says that World Rivers Day presents a good opportunity to not only take a look at the state […]

05 Sep 2024

England’s National Parks, renowned for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, are facing a hidden threat: pharmaceutical pollution. New research from the University of York and the Rivers Trust has revealed widespread contamination of rivers in the parks, with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory substances, lipid regulators and diabetes treatments being detected. The study found pharmaceuticals […]

28 Aug 2024

The March for Clean Water will be held in London on 26 October to press the government to do more to clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas. Activist Feargal Sharkey is heading up the protest, which has been organised by River Action and backed by a growing number of environmental, sports and community groups. […]

13 Aug 2024

Almost 500 different chemicals, some of which are banned, have been found in various mixtures across all 171 river and groundwater catchments tested in England in 2024, according to data from the Environment Agency, analysed by the Guardian and Watershed Investigations. More than half of them are classified as very toxic, toxic or harmful to aquatic […]

31 Jul 2024

An investigation by i suggests that over 5,500 sewage spills in England last year may have been illegal as they took place without permission from the Environment Agency (EA), including at spots along iconic rivers like the Wye and Avon. Water companies released untreated waste into waterways 464,056 times in 2023, official statistics show. These […]

23 Jul 2024

The Environment Agency has published a new guide for anyone who owns or occupies land or property next to or containing a main river in England. In ‘Your watercourse: rights and roles’, the Agency notes that, where a watercourse runs adjacent to or through your land you will be what is termed a ‘riparian landowner’. […]

23 Jul 2024

A new project has been launched to help restore the upper reaches of the River Wye, one of the UK’s most cherished rivers. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced the Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show on 22 July 2024. Funded by the Welsh Government, this initiative aims to rejuvenate the […]

03 Jul 2024

Watershed Investigations has published the Watershed Pollution Map, revealing “a huge range of potential pollution sources that can harm rivers, lakes, groundwater, coasts and more”. It shows: river, lake and groundwater health bathing water health damaged and protected waters sewage dumping chemical pollution urban and road pollution substances being discharged into waters years of Environment […]