28 May 2026
Muck-spreading ban to protect rivers doesn’t work, Welsh minister says
Image description: John Deere tractor towing a slurry tanker. Photo by Mirko Fabian on Unsplash Years of river protection effort under review The Welsh government has signalled it will unwind the ban on spreading muck between mid-October and January, a rule introduced specifically to prevent slurry being washed into rivers during winter rainfall. Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience […]
28 May 2026
Europe sets new dam removal record: 603 barriers dismantled in 2025
Image description: Aerial view on Cogîlnic River river freed from the dams. A fifth record year Europe removed a record 603 river barriers in 2025, eclipsing the previous year’s total of 542 by 11%. The combined effort reconnected more than 3,740 km of rivers, marking a fifth consecutive year that removal totals have set a new […]
28 May 2026
River Wye recognised as living ecosystem with intrinsic rights in UK first
Image description: A winding river flows through a forested valley in autumn. The image was taken in Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye, UK. Photo by Rob Wingate on Unsplash A rights of nature approach The Wye’s whole catchment has been formally acknowledged as a living ecosystem in what supporters call a UK first. Launched at the Hay-on-Wye literary […]
21 May 2026
19 projects awarded £58 million in sixth Water Breakthrough Challenge
Image description: Fungi growing on a tree stump with a waterfall in the background. Image by Christoph Schütz from Pixabay The winners of the sixth Water Breakthrough Challenge have been announced, with 19 pioneering projects set to receive a share of £58 million from Ofwat’s Water Innovation Fund. The Challenge seeks to transform how the water […]
30 Apr 2026
Northern Ireland’s regulations for agricultural pollution insufficient – OEP
Image description: White sheep on green pastures near a lake, taken in Loughross, County Donegal, Ireland. Photo by Brian Kelly on Unsplash Regulations falling short despite farmer efforts Despite positive investment and efforts from farmers, key regulations designed to reduce agricultural pollution have failed to deliver meaningful improvements to water quality in Northern Ireland, […]
09 Apr 2026
Ministers pledge £90 million for species recovery
Body of water between grasses, Arundel UK. Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash £90 million pledged to safeguard England’s wildlife Ministers have announced a new £90 million government funding package for species recovery in England, which the government says is the largest ever Government investment in threatened species recovery. More than double the previous round […]
08 Jan 2026
Growing number of councils grant legal ‘rights’ to rivers
Image description: a kingfisher flying just above the water of a river lined with mossy boulders. River Kent, Kendal, UK. Image by Jonny Gios on Unsplash. As reported by the BBC, a grassroots movement is gaining momentum across England as local authorities declare legal rights for rivers, despite Parliament having no plans to enshrine […]
