23 Apr 2026

Photo by Marina Helena Muller on Unsplash   The Guardian has exclusively revealed pet owners across the UK could be banned from buying flea treatment for cats and dogs under new government rules, in response to fears over their impact on songbirds, fish and other aquatic creatures. Presently flea and tick treatments, commonly imidacloprid and […]

15 Apr 2026

Photo by Colby Winfield on Unsplash Following an Environment Agency investigation, United Utilities pleaded guilty to introducing thousands of fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit. The EA says this sentence marks a regulatory milestone as the first time a water company has been sentenced under The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) […]

15 Apr 2026

Image description: Aerial view of Ilkley wetland project run by Yorkshire Water. Image credit: Yorkshire Water. Work has officially begun on a nature-based wetland in Ilkley, marking the next chapter of a £60 million investment to improve water treatment and the water quality of the river Wharfe.  The project forms part of Yorkshire Water’s largest ever environmental […]

15 Apr 2026

Image description: People walking past the Palace of Westminster in the rain. Photo by Heidi Fin on Unsplash Calls for a referendum on water company ownership  Two campaigners who prominently featured in the recent Channel 4 docudrama Dirty Business have launched a petition calling for a referendum on water company ownership.   As reported in the BBC, Ash Smith and […]

15 Apr 2026

Image description: Water flowing from a concrete pipe. Photo by Abdullah Wafiyy on Unsplash. The trade association for the water industry, Water UK, has published its assessment of whether water companies are able to spend enough on maintaining their infrastructure.   New analysis presented at a conference of engineers, economists and government policy officials in London last month suggests the answer may be […]

15 Apr 2026

Image description: View from Sabrina Bridge over River Severn in Worcester. Photo by Darren Tolley on Unsplash New figures released by the Environment Agency (EA) show £8.5 million has been collected from water companies through Enforcement Undertakings (EUs) over the last financial year – the highest annual total on record.  The EA says these EUs will be reinvested directly into repairing harm to rivers and habitats.  What […]

09 Apr 2026

Image description: Four people wearing high vis in front of a Network Plus working site. Image credit: Network Plus.   Network Plus, a utility and infrastructure services provider in Greater Manchester, is set to launch a new water industry training school after advertising this week for apprentice water operatives to join the award-winning business. United Utilities […]