Environment Agency

Inclusive access to work experience for young people: The Environment Agency's NEW Virtual Work Experience Programme

Photo shows child looking at computer screen with headphones on. Text is overlayed on the image and states 'Springpod Virtual Work Experience - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Environment Agency

Engaging our future workforce The Environment Agency, working with Defra, has launched our first Virtual Work Experience programme. It introduces young people to the Environment Agency and specifically the work we do in flood and coastal risk management (FCRM). It’s …

Managing the impacts of drought in the Midlands

Two Environment Agency officers, a man and a woman, both wearing waterproof bib-and-brace dungarees, walk up a shallow, narrow stream in the forest with nets and buckets looking for any fish in need of rescue and removal to safer, deeper waters.

What is the situation in England? The National Drought Group met today (15 July) and a drought was declared in the West and East Midlands. The region joins the north-west and Yorkshire which officially declared drought last month. Dry weather …

How the Environment Agency monitors and tests bathing water quality

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Cleaner Seas, Environment Agency, Water
Many parts of the UK's coastline are used for bathing and leisure.

As the weather is warming and more people are heading outside to enjoy beaches, rivers and lakes, we’re starting our regular monitoring of bathing waters. Between now and the end of September, millions of people will head to bathing waters …

Take part in a consultation on guidance used by the water companies when they draft their new drought plans

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Regulated industry, Water
Picture of Haweswater with an additional photo showing drought conditions in 1995

Our changing climate means we could see more frequent and severe weather events, including droughts, in the coming years. We cannot predict when, or how severe, the next drought will be, but we can ensure we learn from previous drought …

Big data, tiny microbes: environmental DNA in action

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Fisheries and biodiversity, Invasive species, Nature, Rivers, Water
Picture of a white clawed crayfish on a rock.

All living things, from bacteria to blue whales, have DNA in their cells. DNA provides the blueprint for life, directing how organisms grow, reproduce, and live. Since DNA gives a unique genetic code for every species on Earth, we can …

Regulatory EDM 2024 Bathing Season storm overflow data analysed 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Water

The Environment Agency has analysed Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data on storm overflows associated with bathing waters across England for 2024.   This regulatory data, bolstered as 100% of storm overflows are now fitted with event duration monitors, is a vital …

Working in partnership to manage surface water flooding

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Flood, Flood Planning, telemetry, Uncategorized
surface water flooding

Surface water flooding is localised and complex. There are currently 3.2 million properties in areas at risk in England. As the September floods have shown, it is a real and growing threat to life, property, infrastructure, and to the economy. …

Spotlight on the field teams working in Hampshire and Sussex to reduce flooding  

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Flood, Flood Maintenance

It’s Flood Action Week so we’re showcasing the great work of our field teams in Hampshire and Sussex.   These teams play a vital role reducing the risk of flooding to communities in the south east of England. In Hampshire and …