14 May 2026
Image description: The Royal Coronation Crown Isolated on a Black Background The UK Government has confirmed plans to introduce a new Clean Water Bill as part of the legislative programme outlined during the King’s Speech, signalling what ministers describe as a major overhaul of water regulation, environmental protection and infrastructure investment across the UK […]
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) […]
05 Mar 2026
Image description: Corby Bridge, also known as Wetheral Viaduct, which carries the Newcastle–Carlisle railway. Photo by Ian Cylkowski on Unsplash The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) review on the implementation of laws for terrestrial and freshwater protected sites in England has now received an official response from the UK Government. The government’s key commitments The government welcomed the OEP’s […]
22 Jan 2025
The Environment Agency Chief Regulator, Dr Jo Nettleton, has called for the environmental regulation framework to be reformed in order to help better protect people and the environment and enable businesses to grow. The Chief Regulator’s newly-created role is to hold the Environment Agency to account in delivering its regulatory activities and to champion best […]
16 Jan 2025
Useful article in New Civil Engineer Water industry experts have expressed dismay at the news that mandatory sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for developments over 100m2 is not being introduced, despite the Department for Food, Rural Affairs and Environment’s (Defra’s) promise. Despite the government saying that Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 would […]
31 Dec 2024
A complete ban on use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides has moved a step closer after the government set out its plans to deliver a key election pledge. Despite being banned from general use in the UK, the last government authorised the use of neonicotinoids every year for the last four years in England via a […]
06 Nov 2024
A report by sustainability think tank the Institute for European Environmental Policy UK (IEEP UK) looks at the implications of diverging wastewater policy between the UK and the EU. Photo credit: Joseph Russo EU law concerning collection and treatment of wastewater (sewage) has been dominated by the 1991 Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. […]
30 Oct 2024
Following last week’s announcement of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, Defra has published the Terms of Reference. The government says the “sector should become one of growth and opportunity, which will restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health, deliver a resilient and efficient water supply in the face […]
