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Environment Agency

How to Prepare for an Inspection from the Environment Agency (EA): A Farmer’s Guide 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: agriculture
Environment Agency officer on a farm inspection. Walking through a field with 2 farmers. A dog can be seen at the front of the image

We play a key role in ensuring that farming practices comply with environmental regulations.  Agriculture is the biggest sector we regulate. We deliver at least 4000 farm inspections per year. These are targeted to farms and parts of the country …

Are we prepared for a drought? The water resilience challenge

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Drought, Environment Agency, Water
A reservoir with low levels of water

With summer approaching and after several months of dry weather, many are wondering if the country is facing a potential drought. After an exceptionally wet 2024, this year has taken a dramatically different turn.  From floods to drought concerns There’s …

What are the 2024 Storm Overflow EDM Annual Returns?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Cleaner Seas, EDM, Environment Agency, Rivers, storm overflows, Water
Environment Agency logo

Today, we published water company Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Annual Return data for 2024, which can also be viewed on a map via the Storm Overflow portal, showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England. EDM tracks …

Citizen Science and the Environment Agency

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Citizen Science, Community, Environment Agency, Other areas of our work, Science
A group of people standing around tables at the riverbank carrying out Riverfly training.

The Environment Agency is working with partners to develop tools, guidance and frameworks to support a standardised and connected approach to citizen science monitoring of the water environment. The Citizen Science Technical Advisory Framework Last year, we shared how the …

Kielder a ‘beacon of hope’ in work to save pearl mussel

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Fisheries and biodiversity, Nature, Water
Image shows a wild juvenile freshwater pearl mussel lying on someone’s hand.

The critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel populations have declined drastically worldwide over recent decades. But conservation work at Kielder Salmon Centre in Northumberland is aiming to reverse that trend through a captive breeding programme and by working with partners to create healthier rivers.

Strengthening Environmental Science: A New Chapter in Water Monitoring

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Science, Water Monitoring
A scientist sits at a liquid chromatography station, working on the computer. Behind them, the modern laboratory floor is visible, featuring new analytical equipment and workstations in a bright, open plan setting

Enhancing our scientific capabilities to understand and monitor England's rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Investing in Scientific Excellence The Environment Agency (EA) has taken an important step forward in enhancing our water monitoring capabilities with a £4 million investment in …

How the Environment Agency is assessing new nuclear power station designs

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Nuclear, Regulated industry, Uncategorized
EA employee Andy Pynn talking to Holtec employee in a nuclear manufacturing centre

As the UK government takes forward its plans for a low carbon future, the regulators of the nuclear industry, the Environment Agency, Office for Nuclear Regulation and Natural Resources Wales are currently assessing three new nuclear reactor designs. Teams of …

Update on Environment Agency investigation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Regulated industry, Water
Grasses by a water body

Work continues on our largest ever criminal investigation, to date, into potential breaches of environmental permit conditions by all water and sewerage companies discharging into English waters.   The extent of potential non-compliance involves more than 2,200 wastewater treatment works. To …